After a month immobilised in the port of Gladstone and three weeks of arguing with our insurer, we have some progress but it has been hard yakka.
We continue sitting in the usual spot, rudderless and covered with coal dust!
We have been arguing with New Wave Marine on two fronts: first the request for our 50% contribution re new for old rudder costs on not just the new bits but the whole rudder; second the time taken to remove one of three bolts holding the rudder in place, which resulted in 20 hours of labour being charged for something that normally takes half the time. The insurer was arguing this was due to corrosion of the bolt, something they would not cover and wanted us to pick up the extra cost.
We have resolved the first issue, but had to escalate our objection with the second one. Our broker at Tudor Insurance has been the ‘go between’ and helpful. She recommended Port City Fabrications put in writing that the bolt was not corroded but bent from the impact with the reef, justifying the time it took to remove the rudder. That took another week… not because the shipyard crew did not want to do it, just because they are busy and don’t have our sense of urgency. But finally it was done yesterday, and we are now waiting for confirmation from the insurer that the issue is resolved. Meanwhile the repair is progressing. The stainless steel has been ordered, and machining will start in a week or so.
These sorts of engagements are exhausting. We feel rather battle fatigued and have a lack of energy for anything else… Until we get the revised claim approval, we are on tender hooks, but we have had good support from our cruising friends on Bossa Nova, Crazy Lil Thing, Boundless, Roobi, Gipsy and Thor.
Our outings have been limited. All we have managed are daily walks around Spinnaker Park in Gladstone Harbour, and a couple of escapes to Tannum Sands, a coastal town just south of here. So this is our photographic offering this week:
We hope it will be better next week once everything is resolved.
Sv-Anui 
Your photographic offerings are very beautiful, guys! I can almost feel your frustration with the darn insurance company, what bunch of cheapskates! They are happy to take your payments but when the time comes to do business they clam up. So ridiculous. It’s like a world-wide scam! Hang in there, guys. 😎👍🏻🇦🇺
Yes it has been protracted. Hopefully we are close to resolving this.
Amen to that! 🙏🏻
“On tender hooks”, a nice pun.
Ta.
Thank goodness there has been some progress. Lovely photos! xT
Thanks Trish!
Love the photos, especially of Bengie amongst the greenery. Glad there is some resolution forthcoming but what a way to spend a precious winter. As for me, matters are going ahead at even a slower rate . . . . time passes . . . we’ll smile looking back . . . hugs
Sometimes I think the ‘making you wait and stew’ is part of the strategy. Hang in there Eha, as we are.
Hello for very cold Sydney, most people are over winter and looking forward to milder and drier weather. The rain has been constant. I was pleased to read you have progressed slowly with your claim. May it end soon.
Take care
Love Sue
We are trying very hard, Sue!
It’s cold here too early in the morning, but balmy days… one positive of being stuck here!
Hopefully the new report from the boatyard will satisfy the insurers and the work can be finalised.
So very frustrating for you both with such slow progress…
We’re still in a holding pattern in Moreton Bay but at least the storms seem to have moved off shore again.
Hugs from us xx
Hiya guys, yes they wanted an ‘expert’ view and they got it, backed up by not only Port City Fabrications but also the guru in Bundaberg! Far out, the length we have to go to!
Absolutely crazy to be forced to defend the costs…
Have to wonder why we pay such exorbitant premiums only to have to fight for a claim…
Exactly! But we don’t give up easily when we feel it’s unfair.
We understand your frustration at least now there does appear to be some light at the end of the tunnel. You will be cruising again soon.
Cheers Mick & Lyn
Hi Mick & Lyn, good to get your comment. Can’t wait to get going again, but still a few weeks away! Won’t make it any further north this season so no hugs in person, but plenty of virtual ones for you both.
We done to you both. We are so glad you have the support of other yatchies. You must be sick of waking up everyday to face these challenges. We hope it will soon be over for you and you can recover from all this stress. Take care Denise and Garth from Finally
Thanks Denise and Garth, right this minute sitting at the summit of Mount Larcom enjoying the panoramic views, having given our bodies something else to complain about!