News
Olmix docked in La Coruña. The ship will be saved !
The trimaran Olmix was hauled out of the water Friday afternoon. It was a laborious and time-consuming operation, as the vessel was full of water: the crane indicated 9.5 tons, while the ship normally weighs 6 tons.The trimaran Olmix was hauled out of the water Friday afternoon. It was a laborious and time-consuming operation, as the vessel was full of water: the crane indicated 9.5 tons, while the ship normally weighs 6 tons.
Once the ship was on the marine railway, Pierre Antoine assessed the condition of its inside: “It’s Hiroshima!”. Not a single cable could stand the impact of the lightning! All the electric devices exploded, including those which were off at the time: radar screen, computer, alternator … The engine spent three days under water, so it is completely out of operation. There is some doubt about the condition of the floats. Further investigation is needed to understand how things stand exactly. It’s the same for the mast: it is still straight and the rig is normal, but it is right here that lightning struck and one can reasonably have doubts about its solidity.
Bob Escoffier, who was in La Coruña following the shipwreck of the Groupe Guisnel, carried out a first damage survey upon the demand of the insurer. In his opinion, the ship can successfully be repaired. For sure, this will require an important amount of work, but there are good shipbuilders who perfectly master this technique. This is the good news of the day!
Benjamin Hardouin, who was himself a victim of important breakdown on Kiter V, has come to encourage and support Pierre Antoine this afternoon. La Coruña is obviously “the place to be!”
And now? Pierre Antoine and the entire Olmix team are happy and relieved for the outcome of this incredible story. The vessel will be stored securely, the team will take some time to relax and to decide on the best solution to send the ship back home to Lorient: by sailing after provisional repairs, or on board a cargo ship. And in a few months, Olmix will be sailing again!