Perfect Departure: a tribute to an American yachtsman--Russ Nason; yachts people; and Norfolk Islanders who stood by me.
Russ Nason has journeyed on to the other side. Arise my love, my fair one and come away.Saturday, November 30 yacht Zulu sailed a virtual rum line headed for Norfolk Island, and thereafter New Zealand. Two other yachts, Donella and Sweet As, hid behind our horizon.
It was a light-wind, sun shining day. The sky was clear and matched the cerulean blue flat seas.
My husband of 38 years, Russell Nason, looked up to the mast and sails contemplating. His image was picture perfect: slight in build, wisps of sun-bleached silver-blonde hair a fringe beneath his Hawaiian cap. Shorts. That was his uniform for the day.
The sails flapped and we lowered them and switched on the ‘iron jenny’—the Izuzu engine.
He took a sponge bath to freshen up, cut a few wedges of fresh lime, and opened an ice-cold Manta beer. I shared a few sips: so refreshing. All was perfect.
At GMT 01.32.30, Lat S 25 Degrees 29.450 and Long E 167 Degrees 50.217 E he collapsed on the cockpit floor: eyes as blue as the seas locked with mine momentarily with an unspoken message that his appointment with death had arrived—instantly.
Between CPR and a May Day call I scanned the horizon. Slowly the two yachts cut slim lines into my vision. Within an hour and a half the yachts were at my side. Sweet As lowered their tender into the water and attached the outboard.
Crew, Sepp (Josef Koch), was transferred from Donella to Zulu and Christian Eckhoff, a sailing icon, boarded. We carried Russ to his bunk where he lay in peace for his last passage.
A night of brilliant stars hung over us as Zulu continued on. Donella and Sweet As-- angels of light--within range.
Sunday, December 1 dawned gray. We sailed into the night Front with 26-knot winds-rain-lightening—going on adrenalin.
Norfolk Island emerged Monday, December 2 behind a curtain of mist and wind and rain. We kept Phillip Island on our Port and Sepp and I brought Zulu to anchor in Sidney Bay, alongside Donella.
Torrential rain poured down and I went into a dream-like mode as I fell into the compassionate ‘arms’ of Norfolk Islanders. The customs—Kevin Randall—and police—Matt Lee and Shaun Pines, and Cheryl—and the hospital enterprise personnel, to include a doctor andTony Gallagher and boat operator, Morg.
All stood by me professionally as they processed my story. Borry Evans provided a haven of shelter at Daydreamer Apartments and a car where I could regain balance and strength to face this ‘mountain’ of sorrow.
Rumours restaurant became the center of gravity for those on the three yachts to get ready for passage to NZ. Donella was now short of two crew. Information exchanged, fruit and vegetables given, an additional crew found—sweet, young Jacob McNamara with his beautiful mother, Polly’s blessing.
At 4:00 PM, Tuesday, December 3 I drove Borry’s car to the pier—encouraged by Di Garner from Rumours. Islanders gathered to watch as Christian off Donella ferried the captains and crew to the three yachts rolling at anchor.
Bullitt fast—with experience gained through South African surf—he raced his original German crew—Sepp and Werner to Zulu; Rob, a Master Mariner Kiwi, and his Australian wife Kim to Sweet As; and Jacob to Donella for his entrance onto the stage of ocean passage.
Islanders gathered to watch them leave. Di Garner, Robyn McQuade, Polly McNamara, Florence Anderson, Daniel Williams, Borry Evans—and other colourful locals.
There was joy and happiness shared as Sweet As and Donella pulled anchor and cut across the gap with Phillips Island to Starboard. Sails at an angle cut through blue skies in a Monet-like painting.
Zulu struggled to pull anchor by hand—the alternator had stopped working. As the sun slipped down the skies we looked through Daniel and Polly’s binoculars as Sepp and Werner on Zulu persisted until dusk. Their figures on deck silhouettes.
We shouted for joy on the pier and waved as we saw the anchor raised. Slowly Zulu motored into the wind, the main sail fluttered zigzag fashion up the mast, and she turned and sailed away into darkness.
I held on to a red hibiscus from Di, a jacket from Florence, and the strength of those around me: feeling Russ’ spirit following Zulu. Although the chill was in the air, it was perfect departure—for both my fair-haired husband and his yacht Zulu.
THANK YOU Norfolk, Donella, Sweet As, and Zulu for standing by—tall as the island pines—in finalizing Russ and my ocean journey. Thank you Lomasa and Chipa for your prayers.
NB: I heard the words of an unknown song play: “There are stars in the Southern Sky if you feel you should go. Taste of time. Sweet as honey. Down the 7-bridges road.”
At Daydreamer Polly and Daniel drank tea with me. Their gifts of fruit and milk brought comfort. My Persian rose candle burnt. I slept in a day dream as the rain poured down until bird song called in the morning.
The End of the Voyage of Yacht Zulu.
These pictures will tell a story.
Lunch on passage to New Caledonia. Catching a Mahi Mahi as we enter Havannah channel. Sunset in Baie du Prony.
Russ’ life is cut down in the cockpit of Zulu by a heart attack and his life taken painlessly and instantly. Christian Eckhoff off SV Donella answers my May Day call 5 miles away, and he and yacht Sweet As come to my Rescue. Sepp, crew on Donella, is transferred from Zulu to sail with me to Norfolk.
Three boats at anchor--Zulu to right. Christian ferrying crew to Sweet As (Rob and Kim) and Donella (new crew Jacob): Zulu’s new crew—Werner and Sepp; Marilyn saying goodbye.
Norfolk islanders on the pier--there for me to watch the boats leave: Kevin Randall from customs, Borry Evans who gave me shelter at Daydreamer and a car; Di Gardner with me and Florence Anderson; Florence and Robyn McQuade; Polly McNamara, Daniel Williams and Knightly looking on.
John Anderson—Christian’s HAM radio and weather contact and friend on Norfolk—and Florence his beautiful wife.
Constable Cheryl Snell came by to say goodbye; Lomasa, Jipa, and Betty service staff at the Daydreamer apartments from Fiji and Vanuatu—my island source of strength.
Kevin Randall and Shaun Pine from customs and police—my guardian angels—at my side at the airport; Morg--boatsman and Polly, mother of Jacob crew on Donella; and so many more there to say goodbye. (Detective Senior Constable Matt Lee—also my guardian angel—was off island at this time).
The end of a brave and adventurous sailor, my soul mate—man whose heart was with the sea.
A Perfect Departure!
Beach Hibiscus given to me by Russ for our May 18, 2013 wedding anniversary in Albert Cove, Fiji.
We will remember you:
Children: Ian, Vanessa, Sarah
Sisters: Bev, Patty, Sue, Diana
Brother: Leigh
All his extended family, friends and fellow sailors so very dear to his heart
Arise my love, my fair one and come away……..
Marilyn, soul mate for life
Tribute to Christian Eckhoff my life line. And thanks from the bottom of my heart to Sepp and Werner who took Zulu safely to NZ; and Rob and Kim who stood by on Sweet As.
Thank you to Mike and Julie Gannaway, who were life lines and here for me in Auckland with my friend for life---Heike.
Christian Eckhoff off yacht Donella--my life line and sailing icon from my province of Natal, South Africa where I grew up--based in Bay of Islands, NZ
This blog is hurriedly put together as I reel in shock.......I hurry to post from Jet Park Hotel in Auckland near airport waiting my children's arrival with my friend for life, Heike--Christiane's daughter
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5 comments:
Dear, dear Marilyn, We were so sad to hear of Russ's sudden death. I can only imagine the discombobulation of your life at the moment. Glad to hear Zula was taken care of and should now be safely in NZ while you pause to catch your breath and consider your future without your mellow fellow. Our thoughts are with you and will write again soon...just to say hello and see bhow you are getting along. Wish I could be there to give you a hug. Hold on tight to those you love as you walk through this. ~hugs~ kat sv Island Bound sailingkat@gmail.com
Oh, my dear. My heart cries with yours. Deep peace of the running waves to you.
Namaste. <3
Dearest Marilyn, Eric and I are thinking of you tonight. The night is cold, with snow outside, quiet here at the beach while you are on the other side of the world. In our hearts we are with you.
Llewelyn ap Gutan wrote: My warrior went by water/and his song went with the wind.
With love from your old friend Jeannie
Marilyn, I had tears of sadness for Russ's passing and felt joy in knowing his life was well lived with you. I send virtual hugs and know you are loved by your old friends :) Cathy C.
Marilyn, I hope things have gone smoothly or you since you left our shores. You are an amazing lady and I feel honoured to have met you. a shame that it was under such sad circumstances. I hope that one day in the not too distant future you will return to Norfolk Island. Take care dear lady, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Lots and lots of love, Daniel Williams
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