Beached supply boat.

Over the weekend one of the two supply boats to the island broke free of its ropes and drifted onto the beach near the city. It was carrying the usual supplies such as beer, canned drinks, probably bottled water and most importantly, diesel. Diesel keeps the island's generator going and consequently provides electricity to our home. Without electricity our water pump stops and and our packed freezers defrost, potentially ruining our meat supply so I'm somewhat concerned, although I'm told that the other boat will come with more supplies. The island ran out of diesel some months ago and it wasn't fun.

The story goes that those manning the boat at night went out, perhaps to get a beer or so and when it was noticed that the ropes on the one side of the boat, mooring it to the dock, had snapped, it was too late and water was coming on board. A submercible pump was borrowed the next morning and the water pumped off the boat. Now the boat has beached itself on the harbour's beach, it's rudder deep in the sand and no bigger boat near the island to pull it out.

The crew were hauling crates of beer on their heads, through the waves and up onto the road overlooking the beach. Apparently a tractor may be the solution to getting the diesel containers off of the boat. The shenanigans drew an amused crowd to the harbour facing road yesterday, including us, and these are our pictures...