We’re in trouble. Now what? Ask a GLCC friend

Posted by GLCC Office
 September 9, 2025



 

By Kelly Hillman

My husband, Rob, and I love sailing our S/V Windshadow and were excited to share the beauty of the North Channel, specifically Bear Drop Harbour with our son Jim following the 2025 Rendezvous.

Unfortunately, unexpected “murphy” events (if something can go wrong, it will) occurred at the anchorage. While backing down on the anchor, the floating tow-line was sucked into the prop. We felt a bump and the engine stalled. Rob dove in and extricated the line, but poor visibility didn’t give him the full picture. The next morning, we began slowly motor-sailing to Gore Bay where the damage could be assessed.

As we were heading there, the propulsion quit, and so did the wind. Becalmed near the Cousins Islands, I called BoatUS only to find no tows were available as we were in Canadian waters. Much later, a call came in from Drummond, but they would be hours before arriving at our location. 

So, Rob made a Pan-Pan call on VHF 16.  No response was received from Canadian authorities, however GLCC members Dave and Anne Bannister responded immediately. They were near Bear Drop, had our position via AIS and offered their 32-foot Nordic tug M/V Unsalted  to tow us to Gore Bay, the closest boatyard with a lift. 

Dave and Anne’s expertise was evident. Since acquiring Unsalted last year, they have towed several vessels to safety on the lakes, but we were their first 40-footer, a boat that was significantly larger than Unsalted. They sidled up to Windshadow with their huge fenders, passed a tow-line and instructions, and towed us more than 18 miles to the G dock in Gore Bay. 

Before we could utter a proper thank you and propose dinner plans, they motored away to pick up where they had left off on their day.

The Gore Bay crew had us in the slings by 0900 the next morning. The bad news: strut, shaft and stuffing box would need replacing. We were many nautical miles from our car in Presque Isle. How to get home? 

GLCC members Paul and Carolyn O’Grady (on M/V Final Draw), whose company we had enjoyed just days before at the Commodore’s Dinner at the 2025 Rendezvous, knew friends Pat and LeAnn Eustice (on M/V Square Yard) were scheduled to arrive at Gore Bay that day. Pat and LeAnne already planned their next destination to be Detour. They offered us a ride to Detour Village in their fast 41-foot SeaRay.

We left at 0900 the next day on M/V Square Yard and covered the 65 miles to Detour in just four hours.  Rob’s brother, Dave, met us in Detour and drove us to Presque Isle where our car was parked.  Once having our own transportation, we figured the logistics to get home and coordinate the S/V Windshadow repairs.

Feeling grateful and humble. Thank you all.

 

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Profile picture for user George Dew
George Dew

Wed, 09/17/2025 - 08:23

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In response to the question in point 4, I too have had the experience of backing over a floating line and having it pulled into the prop. If there is too much line out it can be pulled down into the water even though it normally floats on the surface.

Lesson learned: I now always keep the dinghy painter as short as possible except when underway and towing it.

Profile picture for user Alchemy128
Alchemy128

Wed, 09/10/2025 - 12:32

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Hi Kelly,

Let me kick off on your report:

How nice it is that there are those among us who respond to bad luck with aid. Kudos to the skipper of the boat who gave you a tow.

Of note:

  1. It is good to have a beginning of season check of your VHF of its ability to reach out. (I have written about an easy vhf/AIS early season test elsewhere in the Forum.
  2. It is good to have a plan for underwater work. At minimum I would include a mask and flippers and a weight belt (it limits your time to work underwater if you are fighting your own buoyancy). Next level might include, a wet suit commensurate with local conditions (capacity to work diminishes rapidly with cold), Move to a dry suit (there is a learning curve for its use) for cold water and early season sailing. Weight belt/vest as needed. Thin dive gloves and an underwater light (tape to the top of your hand over your glove allows 2 hands for work). Finish off with a good knife, probably a serrated one for line.*
  3. For towing, it would be good to have a plan in mind, and the gear necessary, for being towed or being the tow vessel. I am lucky enough to not have experience in this area, but casual research indicates that it is worth thinking about and preparing for. Kelly, it might be helpful to describe your towing experience: gear used, length of tow line and type, etc.: all details welcome.
  4. It is interesting that you report your floating line got sucked into the prop in reverse. I know of those who advocate a floating line to prevent just that occurring. What kind of line was it?
  5. Did you have any kind of “line cutter” on the prop? I am clear they do not always help.
  6. Is it possible to say more about why there was so much damage? I believe it is often the case to even have even full speed prop wraps not cause damage.

The more remote your cruising takes you, the more important the above becomes.

Thanks for your thoughts, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

*For those who might wish longer periods underwater and are divers, carry a tank with a long hose. We lay the tank on deck and with the 40-foot hose can get to all parts of the boat. And, for reasonable depth anchoring, I could get down to the anchor if fouled. I also carry a BC and full dive kit.