After over three weeks of sitting around at Gladstone and a week of insurance woes, it’s a bit like “hurry up and wait”, there is not much action.
Although our insurer New Wave Marine gave the OK for our rudder and daggerboard repairs a week ago, they are requesting a “50% contribution” from us on top of our excess for any ‘new for old’ replacement. This contribution is equivalent to 5% of the value per year of age of the item replaced, up to a maximum of 50%. We were aware of that nasty little clause in our contract which is fairly standard. The rudder, like the boat is 25 years old. However the 50% contribution was applied to not only the new rudder steel post, but every other cost attributed to the rudder, which we did not think was fair. They also pointed out that “wear and tear is not covered”, as if the damage was a result of that! Had they even read about the accident?
So we argued our case with them, which has taken another week of toing and froing… and we are yet to hear whether they will back down.
Either way we will have a bill to pay on top of our excess – just how big is the question. If you are wondering what we pay comprehensive insurance for, so do we! You are insured until you make a claim which you have to fight tooth and nail for, and probably brace yourself for next year’s hike in premium!
After 25 years of boat ownership, our insurers are well ahead when it comes to the balancing act of premiums received Vs claim paid. We would be quite prepared to self-insure, but unfortunately you cannot get into any marina or boat yard without comprehensive insurance. Third party insurance is not accepted.
Port City Fabrications now have the go ahead for the repairs. We took the damaged rudder stock to All Quality Engineering in Bundaberg, who are very much in demand in the region. The quadrant which the rudder attaches to also went so they are absolutely sure the rudder post will be made to the exact specifications.
We have been given a three-week timeframe for our turn in the queue to come, the stainless steel to be machined, then a further week in Gladstone for the rudder to be reshaped, glassed, antifouled and reinstalled together with the repaired dagger board. So Anui is stuck for another month. Our season exploring more of the Swain Reefs will have just about evaporated by the time we are mobile again.
By the way, we reported the accident to Maritime Safety Queensland via our contact at Eye on the Reef, highlighting two other vessels had also got into strife at Fitzroy Reef within a few days of each other, and pointing to the need for two additional channel markers at the lagoon entrance. MSQ advised that the two markers which disappeared after the last cyclone six months ago were replaced last week!
It is a pity three boats had to go through the trauma, but a pleasing response nevertheless, although not for Port City Fabrications. They took care of the repairs on all three boats and might see a drop in their little revenue stream! As to whether we will have the guts to go back to Fitzroy Reef is yet to be determined!
We are well and truly over fighting battles in Gladstone and feel rather beaten up. So although we badly need to take a sanity break and look after ourselves rather than the boat, we have stayed put for the last few days, sorting out the mess. We celebrated Chris’s birthday, she has some physio treatment happening on her ailing back, Wade saw a local doctor about a leech bite that got badly infected, we have hired a car for a few weeks so we don’t feel quite as stuck.
Unfortunately with our ship’s cat Bengie, we are restricted as to where we can go. She travels well, so we had thought of hiring a camper van or booking a cabin somewhere in the hinterland and taking her with us for a few days at a time, but pets are not allowed in National Parks nor motels or caravan parks. So once we feel up to it, we will be doing day trips while we leave her to snooze on Anui. She is quite happy with her lot, enjoying the cooler weather. Her favourite spots for cuddles and sleeps are ‘the goat’ on the couch or the duvet cover on our bed!
We hope to share some photos of our land touring next week.
Sv-Anui 
Oh dear. And how frustrating! We feel for you. Not exactly where you would want to spend your birthday, Chris. (Although we quite like Gladstone, but not under your circumstances).x
Yes it’s a pain.
Unfortunately wear and tear is intrinsic and it seems that the insurer doesn’t want to pay new for old. And there there’s the replacement value vs market value issue to consider.
I’ve always considered marine insurance to be principally cover for 3rd party plus total loss. It must be a tricky business to be in and no wonder insurers are opting out of marine.
We too consider insurance is mainly for total loss or damage to others, and we have read the contract – we just want our claim to be treated fairly.
You explain current matters clearly and the sound of the frustration is loud. Simple logic would equal speed. Bengie posing as if she was a youngster in prime gives some cheer to your send. Love the perky shots! Fully understand your frustrations, as in a totally different way I am going thru’ almost identical woes here. Wish you all the best and hope for just some progress for myself. Hugs to all !!!
Hi Eha it feels like we are being taken for a ride, as you probably feel too.
Engine still has some spunk in her, hasn’t she!
All we can do is use her as an inspiration ‘Yes, I can! And shall! ‘!
Good Lord, insurance companies carry too much authority, what a joke! As if they are God or something. Expecting you guys to pay more is ludicrous. I would be considering purchasing a home on the ground! Hang in there, guys.
Hey John… yes the whole saga is wearing us down… a home on the ground… soon!
It would be very difficult to sell Anui, wouldn’t it! 😞
Very … not ready for that yet!
I see, nice! 👍🏻
Arg! I detest that feeling of being taken for a ride! Hopefully your land based trips will help to soothe the pain. Good old Bengie being herself!
Hi Jan, Bengie is happy, she makes us laugh even though we feel down!
Sorry to hear guys. Just a note though, we just took a road trip from Maggie to Brisbane both along the coast and returning via Roma/emerald. We had no issues finding motels happy to accept Tora. They weren’t the best rooms
Good to know, Traci, we might just try with Bengie.
So crazy that the insurers are treating it as a maintenance issue rather than an accident. You’d think the missing channel marks would make it very clear it was an accident.
Hopefully you can find some interesting places to explore around Gladstone.
Many hugs from us xx
Yes, still arguing which is taking time and energy.
Oh my ! We were on a 2 months road trip and completely unaware of your mishap and subsequent insurance saga, as not spending much time online. So sorry, Chris and Wade ! Really feeling your pain . It is tough . We are with Pantaenius and having had similar issues, we can relate . You are doing the right thing giving yourselves a bit of R and R and explore the countryside . Nature always helps. Could someone take care of Benji for a few days ? If we can do anything at all , pls let us know . Best From Dom and Gary .
Hi you two, we definitely won’t get to Airlie this season… enjoy your time out bush. Hope everything is going well health wise too!
Hi Chris and Wade. We are so sorry you are having so many issues over the fixing of Sv- Anui. We really enjoyed meeting you both and hope the end comes sooner than the time frame you’ve predicted. It’s a ridiculous amount of time and must be playing havoc on you. We are thinking of you and hoping this will be behind you soon.cheers room Denise and Garth On Finally.
Lovely to get your message, Denise and Garth. We hope you are right but suspect August will be spent where you saw us! The main hassles are the delays with the insurance as well as getting the materials and the machining done. We’ll survive… just going a bit nuts with boredom 😏
Feel for you both. Very frustrating situation alround. The joys of boating hey.
Hi Graham… not a lot of joy!
Dealing with insurance is a pain. I have to set aside a block of time to go through all the insurance things when I call them. By the time I’m done, I look a mess from all the holding and talking and trying to understand what they’re saying.
I feel so bad that you are still dealing with this and you don’t know the exact cost either. That is frustrating and stressful. I hope this sorts out well in your favor and you can be on the move again!
Hi Esther, yes additional stress we did not need, but we are making progress. Still a long wait even when the claim is sorted before we are ready to go… repairs take a while too!
Oh yes, these things take a long time! The waiting is part of the progress too.
I hope you can look back at this with fond memories…although that may be hard to do. Hang in there! Benjie seems relaxed and taking it all in stride.