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                                                                                    SV Troutbridge,

                                                                                    Customs Rotation No: 2371

                                                                                    Royal Suva Yacht Club,

                                                                                    MOB:9212518

                                                                                    20/08/12

Commodore and Committee,

Royal Suva Yacht Club.

 

Dear Mark,

 

I’m sorry to be writing this letter but I regret that both conscience and circumstances compel me to. I have said before but I will repeat here that I am truly grateful for all the help that the RSYC has afforded me over the last fifteen months. Your understanding and sympathy has been a source of both encouragement and comfort to me.

 

As you know, after Troutbridge was brought ashore from the reef, the removal and care of the engines was entrusted to Martin Amonaki. He was asked to examine both engines and advise what damage had been caused during the accident and subsequent immersion. He duly advised me in July 2011 that the engines had suffered no internal damage and that he would strip them down and take whatever action was necessary to preserve them, prior to re-installation in the boat in April 2012.

 

During the course of August 2011 I asked him what he required to rebuild the engine and he again advised that there had been no internal damage. All he required was seals and gaskets. These were ordered from the UK, the cost being approximately F$4000. The spares were delivered early February 2012 and at that time I advised all the contractors working on the boat that the projected launch date was April 7^th, 2012.

 

As you are aware, Amonaki failed to deliver the engines until late June 2012 and at that time informed me that one engine had in fact suffered internal damage. He gave no explanation for the late delivery of the engines, but assured me that both had been run on the bench. On examination of the port engine, this statement was blatantly untrue, due to the internal damage. I suspect but cannot prove at this time that the damage was in fact caused when the engine was run by Amonaki, but exactly when he did this I do not know. From the state of the engine, I strongly suspect that he did nothing to it until the last minute. During the course of 2011/12 I have paid out approximately F$3500 for work done to the engines. I have some receipts but foolishly did not demand a receipt for every payment. I believe that I owe Amonaki some F$400 for rebuilding the second engine, but as it has neither been rebuilt nor run I do not intend making any further payment at this time.

 

Since the launch on the 9^th July 2012 there has been one excuse after another as to why Amonaki has not run the engines. At the time of writing, the starboard engine has a fuel leak which would have been immediately obvious had the engine been bench run and the port engine is still in bits. Apparently the missing components are in Amonaki’s locker at the club, but I have not seen them. Amonaki arranged for an electrician to fit a new ignition system and engine gauges. This was due to be done this morning, commencing 8am. The electrician did not attend this morning and despite assurances that he would be at the boat by 1pm, at 1.30pm he is not here. I am also aware that Amonaki has been working on other boats in the marina.

 

I now find myself in the situation where my personal visa expires at the beginning of September and the boat’s duty-free period will expire on November 22^nd  which is just after the start of the Cyclone season. As the trip to a cyclone-free area will take at least two weeks I feel that I have little option but to apply for extensions to both visas, due to extenuating circumstances. I will also be making a formal report, either to FIMSA or FICAC, depending on what advice I receive. I will be asking the club for a letter supporting my application for visa extensions and it is possible that whichever organisation I make a formal complaint to will ask for confirmation of the facts.

 

Although I personally do not hold the RSYC responsible in any way for this fiasco, I have to say that it has to unfortunately reflect badly on the club. It is, of course, up to the committee to determine whether any action against Amonaki is applicable, but in my opinion at the very least he should be prevented from working on any boats at the club. I will be taking steps to alert cruising boats about Amonaki but rest assured I will also be pointing out how welcoming and friendly the RSYC is.

 

I sincerely apologise if this matter in any way reflects badly on the club but I feel that at the very least visiting yachts should be forewarned. I will not be contacting any cruiser’s forums until I have heard your opinion on the matter, but in the meantime I have been keeping a blog and the sorry saga has been fully reported on that. You or any committee member are welcome to inspect the engines at any time and I have a number of photos which clearly show both the damage and state of the damaged engine.

 

Regards,

 

 

Peter N Bernfeld