STUCK IN THE MUD

Well, it had to happen some day, I suppose, and today was the day! Having navigated all day we turned right to enter a small canal that goes into the centre of Gent where we were going to stay for a few days before our last two day trip to Diksmuide for winter. It was at a point where two canals cross. All of a sudden the depth gauge was beeping at us, the boat wouldn't steer and we ground to a halt! We had run aground! We revved and revved back and forth trying to shift the boat, with bow thrusters going to try to move the front but nothing! We were quite well out from the side as shown below, so didn't feel we'd cut the corner or gone too close to the bank.

Stuck in the mud.

So, we need help. The canal we were turning off was quite busy with very large commercial barges up to 110metres. I went on the VHF Radio to find out if there was anybody around who could help us but there was no response. There was a lock very close by, so we phoned the lock keeper. He was very helpful and after explaining where we were, he said 'Ah yes, I can see you on the video screen.' He said he'd phone us back when he'd found someone who could help. They have a responsibility to keep the waterways clear and inform you if there are problem areas. After a very short time we saw a large empty commercial stopping near us and backing towards us. It was Napoleon coming to our rescue. They threw us a rope which we looped over one of our bits. (That's what they call the bollards on boats).

Napoleon revving like mad to pull us out.

He motored forwards, revving madly......Soraya didn't move an inch. He then upped the revs, meanwhile he was getting very close to the bridge. Still nothing. More revs!! Eventually we started to move very slowly. After a lot more pulling we were free, thank goodness.

Job done, throw the rope off.

The problem is when you stick in mud, you get sucked on firmly. We couldn't thank Napoleon enough. We phoned up the lock keeper to thank him and pass our message on and he said 'Yes, we watched you on the video, it took a long time to get you off. You were well stuck.' We were!