The Bishop's Belt Fails Again

After spending a night at a very classy marina. (They gave us a bottle of wine.) We headed off to check in with Customs. I wouldn't have bothered, but you know... the bishop. Two $25 cab rides later and we were no longer illegal aliens. We reprovisioned and cast off for the intracoastal Waterway. As we approached our 4th drawbridge in the first 2 hours of travel, we heard a slapping sound from the motor as the belt we replaced last week shredded itself. As we had just experienced this I expected only part of the belt would shred and the rest remain functional. But then David said he smelled rubber and I went to investigate. Smoke was coming from the engine compartment. I prepared the fire extinguisher and hesitantly opened the compartment. More smoke, but no flames. As I searched for the source of the fire, it gradually occurred to me that this was steam, not smoke. The belt had totally disintegrated. The water pump was not turning and the engine was overheating. After an emergency bridge opening and a visit from a Good Samaritan we replaced the belt AGAIN. None the worse for wear the motor started up again (Traveling with the bishop.)
Time for plan B.


The Captain
(Don via email)

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