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It poured down rain for 2 days with very high winds so we were sooo glad to
be tucked into the anchorage in Tahuata. After all the rain, the bay was
full of mud and debris so no more snorkeling or swimming to cool off. Even
with the rain it was 85 degrees and like a sauna in the cabin.
In the midst of one of the squalls, Sowelu, making his
landfall from PV, called for help so Gord and Ralph from Ocean Girl
ventured out into the driving rain in the dinghy to try and find him. The
visibility was very poor and they were gone most of the day so I was worried
they wouldn't find Sowelu and wouldn't be able to find their
way back to the anchorage. Sowelu had just arrived in
Marequesas but when trying to get into Atuona to check in, his motor died.
So he tried to sail for Tahuata in the squally winds and heavy rain. When he
got within a mile, his halyard broke and he couldn't bring down the main. So
he called for help. Gord and Ralph found him eventually and boarded his boat
and got him into the anchorage safely. Mia, on Sowelu is a
seamstress with 2 sewing machines on board, and she repaired our spinnaker
in return for the help. We waited
in Tahuata for the weather to clear before heading back into Hiva Oa to take
care of the paperwork required to obtain our windlass. | 
