Power lines at the dam!
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Peter Killick
Nov 13, 2007, 1:06:22 AM11/13/07
to lilongwe...@googlegroups.com
Dear
All
It would be remiss of me not to inform sailors at Kamuzu Dam II that there is a mortal danger to sailors at the dam - and I'm not talking about the hippo!
Charlotte & I took a pleasure sail up to the far end of our dam on Sunday, to look at the wall of the Kamuzu I dam from below - and quite impressive it was too! In between admiring the wall and the road bridge below it, I failed to notice the power lines which cross the dam about 50 metres downstream of the road bridge.
Our pleasant cruise was interrupted by a violent shudder as our aluminium mast hit the lines, accompanied by a nasty arcing/zapping noise and a flash, as a gazillion volts tried to find its way down to the water. Fortunately the construction of a Dart catamaran provides a fair amount of insulation, we were not wet, and Charlotte was not touching the cross beam at the time (nor I her!). Our momentum carried us past the lines, as they swayed enough to let us through, and the only damage was a moltern blob and scrapes near the top of the mast, and some burn marks at the top of the mainsail. We capsized the boat and walked it under the lines to get it back through on our way home, to the entertainment of the several hundred who had gathered to witness the exploits of the crazy asungu!
Although a Dart mast reaches some 20 ft above the water, bear in mind that the dam is quite low at present, and if it comes up a few more feet, other boats like the Enterprise could possibly reach the lines. Advice is not to go too near the bridge!
Peter 'Fritz' Killick
It would be remiss of me not to inform sailors at Kamuzu Dam II that there is a mortal danger to sailors at the dam - and I'm not talking about the hippo!
Charlotte & I took a pleasure sail up to the far end of our dam on Sunday, to look at the wall of the Kamuzu I dam from below - and quite impressive it was too! In between admiring the wall and the road bridge below it, I failed to notice the power lines which cross the dam about 50 metres downstream of the road bridge.
Our pleasant cruise was interrupted by a violent shudder as our aluminium mast hit the lines, accompanied by a nasty arcing/zapping noise and a flash, as a gazillion volts tried to find its way down to the water. Fortunately the construction of a Dart catamaran provides a fair amount of insulation, we were not wet, and Charlotte was not touching the cross beam at the time (nor I her!). Our momentum carried us past the lines, as they swayed enough to let us through, and the only damage was a moltern blob and scrapes near the top of the mast, and some burn marks at the top of the mainsail. We capsized the boat and walked it under the lines to get it back through on our way home, to the entertainment of the several hundred who had gathered to witness the exploits of the crazy asungu!
Although a Dart mast reaches some 20 ft above the water, bear in mind that the dam is quite low at present, and if it comes up a few more feet, other boats like the Enterprise could possibly reach the lines. Advice is not to go too near the bridge!
Peter 'Fritz' Killick
Masauko Mngwaluko
Nov 13, 2007, 1:27:07 AM11/13/07
to Peter Killick, lilongwe...@googlegroups.com, M G Mpasa, Robert Hanjahanja, rmt...@lwb.mw, Gustaff Chikasema, Alfonso Chikuni, skam...@lwb.mw
Peter,
We are very sorry for the mishap. Thank God you
were ALL spared ALIVE n hopefully unhurt.
Could the power lines have sagged? or as you
suggest the Dam is very Low this year. If it's Line sagging we may have to
consult ESCOM for repairs unfortunately if Dam Levels I would suggest Lilongwe
Sailing Club should ensure that ALL its Sailors are AWARE of the DANGER ZONES
including the area infested with Crocs and Hippos.
Otherwise Continue enjoying the Ride at KD 1 &
2.
Regards Masauko Mngwaluko (Public Relations
Officer)
09965802
Reintsma, Curt [Lilongwe]
Jan 10, 2008, 10:05:38 AM1/10/08
to Peter Killick, lilongwe...@googlegroups.com
I just now saw this old email, and would like to reinforce
the message. A number of small boat sailors have been killed on lakes and
dams in just exactly this situation, including one in Texas when I was
there. Please pass the message on to any new sailors you know who
may not have seen it.
Curt
Reintsma
Director
USAID
Malawi
Tel. 265 1 772-455
x401
Website: www.usaid.gov/mw
From: lilongwe...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lilongwe...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Killick
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:06 AM
To: lilongwe...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [LSC] Power lines at the dam!
Alfonso Chikuni
Jan 11, 2008, 1:16:01 AM1/11/08
to Reintsma, Curt [Lilongwe], Peter Killick, lilongwe...@googlegroups.com
Masa,
Any chance we can
advise our electrical guys to have a look at problem and see if changes could be
done?
__________________________________________
Alfonso CHIKUNI
Lilongwe Water Board
P O Box 96
Lilongwe
MALAWI
"Plan as if you will live for ever. Work as if you will die tomorrow"
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