The Rescue - Dulcinea

Lady Elizabeth IV - Our rescue boat

So we rounded cape Palliser in the wee hours of the 24th, the wind was now up to 20kn from the NW and we were finding some strong currents which coupled with the strong winds we seemed to make no headway at all, and a bit of confusion on our heading as it was dark and hard to get bearings we wasted a couple of hours going in silly directions. When light came up I could finally see the point to head for and we were doing well. Then the horrible NW built and built and the seas got bigger and bigger and bigger until we were being pushed off course and heading roughly for Kaikoura (as I could see the Kaikoura ranges in the distance). The day went on and the weather got worse and worse until I was at the wheel fighting to keep the bost under control with 45kn winds and waves up to 30ft high. The waves were pounding us, breaking into the cockpit and engulfing me, filling the entire cockpit like a swimming pool (i had water up to my knees!!) I had been at the wheel for hours fighting, I was soaked through, freezing cold and dad was downstairs feeling sick. We were getting nowhere and the day was getting worse so dad put out a call for help over the VHF and was told they will see what they can do. Shortly after they said there was a boat enroute to come tow us to safety. A good hour went by and I finally saw a ship coming up behind us, but this thing was HUGE!! it was a massive cargo ship, all I could think was how the bloody hell can we get towed by that monster. We got a call and said the ship could see us and would come around in front, but the cargo vessel kept on seaming into the distange through the Cook Strait. I was very confused but not for long as I looked in the other direction there was a police catamaran there "Lady Elizabeth IV", we took down sails and started the motor as per their instruction, they came infront and threw a towline for us to connect to a bow cleat. All this while dealing with constand 40+ kn winds and towering seas. We began the tow and they slowly took us into Wellington harbour, it took about 5-6 hours as the conditions were so bad. Waves were constantly breaking over the boat and it was pouring in through solar vents, windows started leaking and everything inside was getting soaked. I was soaked through and freeeeezing but couldnt change as I had to regularly go to the bow and check the tow line for chafe. They towed us direct to the marina entrance and let us motor the last little bit to the dock. We docked up without issue (even in a strong NW and short handed). As soon as we were tied off I called a airport shuttle which dropped me at Emma's hotel (she luckily was working the Rugby in Welly this weekend) and dad continued to the airport to fly home. I enjoyed a piping hot shower at the hotel and walked down the road to meet Emma and friends for a good hot meal, some beer and watch the All Blacks game. After the game we had a quick stop at McD's for a hot apple pie and straight back to the hotel to bed as I was pretty much a walking zombie after only a couple of hours sleep and several heart pounding hours on the wheel in freezing conditions.