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9:36 AM Mon 22 Dec 2008 GMT
Following the discovery, on Friday, of cracks on the front longitudinal bulkheads on board Bahrain Team Pindar, Brian Thompson is taking advantage of the calmer conditions to continue the repairs on board.
Brian has spent the last 48 hours monitoring the situation and initiating repairs, in close consultation with his shore team and boat designers. Whilst the boat is in no danger, he is currently only able to sail at 80% capacity and has currently slowed the boat, to focus on the work down below.
The cracks have appeared in the inboard sides of both forward ballast tanks, just forward of the keel bulkhead. These act both to hold the ballast water and as longitudinal stiffeners to the front half of the boat. Brian spent Friday night preparing the work, cutting access holes in the tank lids, cleaning the surfaces and sanding them. Yesterday, he laminated the port side reinforcements on both the inside and outside faces of the tank. Today he has been talking with boat designer, Tom Faire, in New Zealand, about additional ways to reinforce the structure, including using the floor boards to bandage it in place.
Brian is, however up against the clock and suggested he has only 18 hours before the next weather front comes in. Bahrain Team Pindar's Boat Captain, Nick Black commented: 'We have been in close contact with Brian to assess the damage and he is not in any danger. With limited materials on board, we want to ensure that he can make the most effective repairs possible, that will allow him to sail the boat much faster for the remainder of the race.'
Chairman of Bahrain Team Pindar, Andrew Pindar commented: 'We fully support the decisions made by Brian and the team. It has been an incredible race so far but with so many skippers having fallen victim to the Southern Ocean, the most important thing is to ensure Brian's safety and that he is comfortable with the way the boat is handling. We are fortunate that the damage has been detected early and feel confident that with these innovative solutions from the shore team, combined with Brian's experience and ability, he will be back on course soon.'
Vendee Globe position 05:00 GMT - Position 10th Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 1762.3 miles to leader
Website - www.teampindar.com
by Jo Gawith
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Hamilton Island, QLD
