Erik Aanderaa · video

What this video covers

A diesel leak discovered at 2:30 a.m. mid-passage dominates a 135-nautical-mile solo overnight sail from Helgoland to Vlieland on the Contessa 35 *Tessie*.▶ 10:00 Before departing, Erik fuels up at the tax-free diesel station on Helgoland and notices the wireless tank sensor fitting is loose — a detail that becomes relevant hours later.▶ 0:56 Conditions in the North Sea reach 20–25 knots on the starboard beam with 3–4 meter waves in 40 meters of water, complicated by two traffic separation scheme crossings and heavy ship traffic including a 317-meter container ship at anchor.▶ 3:12 Diesel pools in the bilge overnight; Erik cannot locate the source despite checking the tank and engine compartment repeatedly.▶ 12:17 Entering Vlieland's buoyed channel — where sandbars flank the route and motor yacht wakes persist in shallow water — the engine nearly stops because Erik had closed the diesel supply valve during the leak investigation.▶ 15:55 At the marina, all 300 berths are occupied but he secures one without a reservation.▶ 17:40 After draining over 60 liters into jerry cans, he finds a badly leaking fitting and temporarily seals it with duct tape.▶ 18:38 Closing the fuel supply valve while troubleshooting a diesel leak will starve the engine at the worst possible moment.

Boats in this video

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