1. (i) On their second day out of Cape Town, they began to encounter strong gales. For the next few weeks they blew continuously and furiously. The size of the waves was alarming. They rose up to 15 metres, as high as their main mast. The captain took certain urgent steps to protect the boat. He decided to slow down the speed of the boat. Storm jib was dropped. Heavy mooring ropes were looped across the stern. They went through their life-raft drill. Lifelines were attached. They put on oilskins and their life jackets. But all these precautions proved inadequate. The roar of high waves increased to a thunder. Then a loud explosion shook the deck.

(ii) A torrent of green and white water broke over the ship. The captain’s head smashed into the wheel. He was aware of sinking below the waves. Suddenly, his head popped out of water. Wavewalker was near capsizing. Her masts had fallen flat. He didn’t leave the wheel. His wife Mary came running. She cried that the decks were smashed and full of water. Larry and Herb were pumping water out like madmen. The whole starboard bulged inward. The captain found a hammer, screws and canvas. He struggled to make repairs. He was successful in spreading canvas over the gaping holes. Most of the water was now deflected over the sides. Another electric pump was connected to the out-pipe. Fortunately, it worked. The water level was now quite under control.