WE DEPARTED ON SCHEDULE 24th NOV, BUT HAD TO RETURN TO MINDELO

Beautiful departure at about 10.00 local time here in Mindelo on the 24th November turned into our worst experience so far. A British registered boat called Lionheart of Clyde rammed us at 6 knots while we were raising our mainsail before heading out across the Atlantic.

The captain of this yacht was running on autopilot within the harbour and was not even at his helm, so he had very little chance to avoid us. We were sailing at the time so although we saw him coming we couldn't take avoiding action. We just shouted and then suffered to worst impact you can imagine. The culprit was as shocked as we, and tried to leave the scene. Luckily we got help from the marina manager and he called the port police. So the culprit returned reluctantly. He was very contrary in all respects and refused to fill out an insurance claims form. I had contacted both party insurances within an hour.

End result... We are now stuck in Mindelo with smashed window and structure damage where there is little chance of any repair.! Desperate! Our dreams of the Caribbean fading fast.