Expensive repairs

Having replaced all the battery circuits, it was time to test the engines. These have been causing us some worries lately, with geysers of coolant spraying round the engine-room whenever we have asked for a bit of oomph. The problem appeared to be in the heat exchangers, fairly expensive kit.

After a couple of trips out to sea, in grey winter weather with a big swell nicely decorated with a mistral-driven cross-chop, the engineers had narrowed the fault down to the starboard intercooler, and had named a price for replacement which turned us all grey, or perhaps green. The boat in all other respects had behaved splendidly, if one counts it as primarily a submarine, not a surface vessel. It was good to get some rough weather practice... despite all the hosing down afterwards.

So the boat is temporarily out of commission whilst the haggling over price, liability etc. continues between the station and Paris. This suits the cox fine, as he is now able to pay a brief visit to his parents in Normandy after a two year gap.