Well, there has been some small movement, with the emphasis on "small," not "movement!" The yard finally got all the bits and pieces of "the Tree" off of ABISHAG. This allowed them to get all the bits and pieces of SNAFU, the other boat, off of ABISHAG as well. Actually, there was "movement" as once they had removed all of the detritus, they picked her up and moved her to a new spot in the yard, about as far from trees as they could get her. And now the fighting begins!
The insurance companies are certainly not in agreement as to who is responsible for the damage done and there certainly was damage done. My friend, Tom Greaves, a marine surveyor who did the original pre-purchase survey back when I bought the boat, went up and did a survey or at least as much of one as he could do without getting on the boat. The yard's insurance company didn't want anyone on the boat until the "responsibility" issue had been worked out less someone traipsing around aboard somehow muddied the matter.
Tom's survey:
- Remove main mast for rigging and tang inspection aloft.
- Sand, prime and repaint topsides resulting from contact from other vessels.
- Repair stanchions and rails where required.
- Inspect deck under stanchion bases and repair if necessary.
- Repair damaged teal cap rails and refinish.
- Replace head stay and foil with new.
- Inspect all chain plates and interior bulkheads for storm damage
- Replace bow rail with new.
- Repair anchor rollers.
- Interior of vessel to be inspected for damage to bulkheads and floors.
It doesn't sound too bad but conservatively we are looking at $15,000 when the job is done. And that's worth fighting over. SNAFU's insurance company is probably going to claim that the yard is at fault for "badly" blocking up the boat and for the damage done by the falling tree. The yard's insurance company is probably going to claim "act of God" for the damage done by the wind and the falling tree. It will probably be one heck of a battle royal and it will take time, so I am caulking up this sailing season as a total loss. If everything worked out well, perhaps I could get in by the middle of August but that's only a maybe. AH, the joys of boat ownership!
