Kamamkazi Gannet Strike
Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 7:15 pm
So there I was sailing serenely past Ailsa Craig on my way to Ireland, carefully dodging the beer drinkers - oops,sorry! - sea anglers - when I spied, amongst the hordes of wheeling gannets, one that seemed to be on a constant bearing. Quite what the beast was looking at I have no idea but it didn't see me until it was almost at my mast. It then banked sharply and tried to go through the gap 'tween genoa and main (I was on a broad reach) and there was an almighty bang and a thump as it whapped off the standing rigging and landed on the deck. Luckily it then flopped into the water and after lying there spread-ganneted (same as spread-eagled but it wasn't one of those) it shook itself into a normal floating gannet posture - and no, I didn't go back to check it was alright. I tie back my inner forestay to a starboard stanchion base and it seems it was this that took the brunt of the shunt as the high quality Lidl's carabiner I used to hold it down is now almost straight.
Is this a totally unique occurence or have others been attacked by fish or fowl while minding their own business?
Is this a totally unique occurence or have others been attacked by fish or fowl while minding their own business?