s/v Nine of Cups Rescuing "Sadko" February-March 2008

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We first met Noel Marshall in 2006 in Puerto Williams, Chile...the bottom of the world. We were rafted up to the "Micalvi" (an intentionally grounded munitions carrier which served as the yacht club base) and "Sadko" arrived and rafted up to us. He had crew aboard, but we learned that many times he was a single-hander. We shared pleasantries and a glass of wine, but left within a few days for Ushuaia. In Ushuaia, "Sadko" arrived a few days later and once again we spent some time with Noel and got to know him a bit better. We signed up for an Antarctic trip and found that Noel had done the same. We wanted to go as a once in a lifetime opportunity, but not aboard "Nine of Cups". Noel was interested as a reconnoitering trip because he definitely intended to take "Sadko" to the Antarctic the next season...which he indeed did! Aboard, "The Little Red Ship" to and from Antarctica, we learned more and more about Noel and his sailing experiences, for his travels were not the usual, but rather to Japan and Russia and Greenland and definitely areas less traveled. When we left Ushuaia to head north to Uruguay, Noel was leaving at about the same time and we chose to travel in "loose company", a phrase with which we were not familiar at the time and which became our private joke. "Oh venerable loose one...", we would greet him in emails. He would respond "loosely speaking" or "regarding loose plans" or "dearly loose or loosely dear friends". Noel left us in Piriapolis, Uruguay and headed to Buenos Aires to prepare "Sadko" for her Antarctic passage. We visited him in BsAs a few times and he visited us in Montevideo, but always we stayed in touch. In 2007, after the completion of his Antarctic passage, Noel returned to the UK for some medical issues leaving "Sadko" on a mooring in Ushuaia. He discovered that he had cancer and began treatment in the UK immediately. Poor "Sadko" was a bit stranded. After much consideration, we offered to fly down to Ushuaia and rescue "Sadko" by bringing her to Piriapolis, Uruguay and hauling her out for a well-deserved rest. Noel took us up on our offer. We left "Cups" on the hard in Panama and flew to Ushuaia to ready "Sadko" for her passage. Lucky for us, Noel was feeling fit for travel and met us in Buenos Aires on Valentine's Day 2008 and we traveled together to the bottom of the world once again. Ten long, hard days (made easier by the 18-20 hour austral summer days) and "Sadko" was good to go. It took a diver two full days to clean a year's worth of growth from the prop and hull bottom. Noel was not only feeling fit, he was feeling great and had more energy than both of us put together. We spent hours learning about "Sadko" from stem to stern and finally it was time to leave. We left Ushuaia on 25 February. Noel hugged and kissed us good-bye at the dock and watched us sail away in his "Sadko". We promised we'd take good care of her.

Noel Marshall  in Mar del Plata, Argentina in 2006.

"Sadko" sits serenely at anchor at Bahia Relegada close to the Harberton Estancia.

Ushuaia is beautiful. We never thought we'd return there, but there's a Patagonian legend which says if you eat the "califate berries" (like local blueberries), you'll always return. We had eaten them and we did return...the legend must be true!

We moved "Sadko" from her mooring immediately the day we arrived and rafted up next to "Saudade" on the AFASyN dock. "Saudade" belongs to Mariolina Rolfo & Giorgio Ardrizzi, authors of the Patagonia & Tierra del Fueglo Nautical Guide aka "The Italian Guide". We had the opportunity to meet and get to know them both and actually answer some editing questions regarding the English translation. Noel had the chance to chat with them about a new anchorage he had found to be added to their guide,  "Caleta Sadko".

Our job was made infinitely easier by Roxanna Diaz, owner of Ushuaia Logistics. Roxanna was a godsend in more ways than one. She's now the Official Cruising Station for SSCA in Ushuaia.

David checked out the rigging and re-rigged halyards for the upcoming passage.

Our previous passage down the Beagle Channel and through the Strait of LeMaire to Piriapolis was a rather rough one. The gods must have been looking out for us this time. The passage was relatively calm, fast and pleasant. Gray skies, however, were pretty much the norm during the passage. Sadko's pilot house design, however, kept us much warmer and more comfortable than we thought possible.

Once in Piriapolis, we wasted no time in scheduling Sadko's haul-out. She was high and dry three days after arrival.

The local SSCA Cruising Station host, Jean Petley toasting with Marcie..

In Piriapolis, huge logs are used to prop up the boat and it is prudent to then attach wooden cross braces to provide additional support.

We e-mailed Noel daily during our passage, but there wasn't much to say.Things were going well and we were making good time...the weather was cooperating famously. We arrived in Piriapolis on 8 March 2008 at about 0700. Friends, Cath & Mike Whitby ("Breila") were expecting us and met us at the dock with fresh coffee and media lunas (croissants). We wasted no time in getting "Sadko" hauled and decommissioned. The local SSCA Cruising Station host, Jean Petley, provided transportation around town and to Maldonado,  making our job much easier. Within a week, "Sadko" was resting comfortably and prepared to be left in peace for awhile. Stats of the trip:  Total distance logged:  1482 nm.                          Total days: 13

For more information about     Noel Marshall           click here

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