Major Failure At Sea

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Life at sea always presents new challenges.  And as sailors, we expect to weather cyclones and battle big waves but those forces can be anticipated.  It's the unforeseen that tests our resolve the most.  Like getting a huge hole in our boat mid-passage or having armed men jump aboard at midnight. It's impossible to prepare ourselves for all the scenarios we've had, could have and will inevitably encounter.
But this passage was a real doozey, and may have knocked our huge hole in the boat moment out of first place for our scariest day at sea. Because navigating a sea full of debris with dying wind, no propulsion, sizzling batteries, and toxic fumes might take the cake. Spoiler alert, we survived.
All things considered, we were sooo incredibly fortunate it all happened on a calm morning, in a protected bay, during normal business hours, and just hours from our planned port of call. Had it been the middle of the night with rough seas and mid-ocean, this all could have been much, much worse.
The overcharging event should not have happened and it took us all by surprise. But, the team at HH Catamarans was on top of it the moment we called them. Thank you Paul, Ricardo, Chris, Jerry and the rest of the team for your swift and unwavering support at such a critical time. HH has assured us they are working on a solution that will ensure the same event does not happen again.

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WE’RE JASON AND NIKKI WYNN. A couple of explorers, modern-day documentarians, and cultivators of curiosity.

We’ve been chasing our curiosity around the world on wheels and keels since 2011. Why? Because curiosity is the key to unlocking life. It pushes us outside our comfort zone, softens our assumptions, and helps us embrace the great unknown. The more we let our curiosity lead the way, the more we discover about ourselves and the world around us.

Things We're Most Curious About...

GETTING OFF-GRID
Our home is also our transportation and we spend weeks away from civilization and sometimes land. So self-reliance and sustainable living are a must. We've learned heaps about renewable energy, managing waste, creating safe drinking water and foraging for food. We carefully manage our resources and we’re always looking for new and better ways to do so.

TALKING TO STRANGERS
People are busy (even on remote islands) and travelers are a dime a dozen. It takes time to talk to strangers, and even more time to have a real connection. Going the extra mile to get to know someone is a commitment.

Which is why these are our most treasured experiences. Setting off into the world with curiosity as our guide and nature as our compass. We talk to strangers and accept hospitality without fear or reservations. Both giving and receiving.

ALTERNATIVE LIVING
These are people who are doing things differently. Forgoing the mainstream, seeking freedom and living on the margins. Creative, unique and inspiring people who challenge our ideas of home and community.

Our journey is ever-evolving but the mission remains the same: #CultivateCuriosity

Timestamps if you like to Jump Around:

00:00 Day 2 Sail to Typhoon Free Zone
02:23 Light Wind Sailing
04:26 Lazy Day Sailing
07:12 Big Night Ahead
08:50 SQUALL - Reefing The Mainsail
11:20 8 Years of Sailing
12:59 Ocean Debris from Storms
15:09 Port Engine RPM Issue & Toxic Smell
16:41 Toxic Fumes from the Engine Battery
17:23 Our Hybrid Electric Engines
18:07 Overcharged Battery Issue & Toxic Fumes
21:39 Clearing the Fouled Prop
23:08 Engines are Dead, We Have To Sail
25:09 Emergency Procedure at Sea
27:30 Removing Swollen Dead Battery
28:46 Stealing the Buffer Battery
29:59 Did the Temporary Fix Work?
31:18 Final Stretch to Samal Island
33:28 Electric Motors Save the Day

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#BoatLife #Catamaran #Sailboat #Travel #LifeStyle

© Gone With the Wynns 2024

[jamesbuckley]

I am a chemical engineer in the lithium battery industry for over 30 years. The 2 things you should have on board are ORGANIC VAPOR RESIPRATORS(half mask). They are not that expensive and use cartridges, no air tank. The electrolyte in the lithium ion cells use organic carbonates and they can be carcinogenic when inhaled. If you are smelling plastic burning, that is the battery case and not the cells. Secondly, the electrolyte can develop HF when overheated or if the cells leak. HF is a very strong acid, always use eye protection and rubber gloves if you see liquid escaping the cells. Do not touch the liquid electrolyte. If you do get it on you, use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), ammonia (found in window cleaners), toothpaste (contains some basic salts), antacids (like magnesium hydroxide) to cleanse the area. Then wash with liberal amounts of water. If you get it in your eyes, flush with water for 10-15 minutes. The same acid protocol applies to AGM(lead acid chemistry), which uses sulfuric acid electrolyte.

[engineeringconsulting]

Jason and Nikki,

I am a physicist with a degree in inorganic chemistry. I am an electrochemist as an expert in electrolytic water treatment. The wet cell batteries that are used to turn the starters for your engines are made up of lead plates/electrodes in a concrtrated sufuric acid solution. What you smelt was hydrogen sulfide gas H2S (g) which is toxic if inhaled in high concentrations. Since, you both are alive and were not vomiting with burning eyes or a server burning troat then your are fine. With high concentration the lining in your lungs will produce enough liquid to drown you.
The smell is similar to that of a rotten egg, which is also hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is released in solutions with a pH below 7.
You probably had a mixture of some off gas from the plastic as well, since it was hot enough to expand the battery case.
Since, you opened the engine compartment doors the concentration inside the engine compartment was well ventilated. That's why Jason wasn't completely overcome by the gas. I'm sure that you had the ventilation fans on, as well, while running the engines.
You should try wipping any exposed metals in the compartment with water soaked clothes as hydrogen sulfide is highly corrosive. It would be a good idea to check electrical connectors, also, and coat them with a electrical grease.
If you did suffer any tissue damage to your lungs it is probably minor and will/would heal relatively fast.
A carbon monoxide alarm will not detect hydrogen sulfide. The best sensor is your nose. However, if you smell it as a strong concentration and then the smell goes away, go to an area where you can breathe fresh air; as hydrogen sulfide will mask your olfactory sensors and you want be able to smell it. Bedt always to open engine compartment doors, turn off all electrical draw are charging to the batteries and let the batteries cool before proceeding with any inspection of the area. I apologize for the lon winded comments. Great video.
Cheers!

Faithfully,

James

[nooneanybodyknows]

No advice, no suggestions, no commentary about what's right or wrong or how to fix it.
I'm simply glad you are docked safely.
Thanks for sharing.

[keithreams]

Great job guys! I didn't read all of the comments so apologies if this is redundant. Electrical Engineer here. Having redundant diesel setups and NOT having battery isolators in the system is a major design failure! As you just learned. Secondly, not having an over-volt or under-volt alarm on the start batteries considering the plethora of systems you have on that vessel with the ability to monitor voltage is another design failure. You should have received an overvolt or over-temp alarm. Both of these parameters are regularly monitored items and there are plenty of simple off-the-shelf items that would provide the notification and safety.

I would talk to H&H and make them rectify. No sense having redundant systems if they overlooked a critical portion of the system by not isolating it.

[glenhale]

In addition to all of the warranted commendations expressed in Jason and Nikki’s favor, I will add that Nikki has a natural gift of “operation”. She brought the CAT into the marina, made three right angle turns, and gently moved a huge moving home into a slip without incident and off boat help. Nikki and Jason are TEAM!

[susiesmith]

Two intelligent people tackling the issues head on while maintaining their composure during a very stressful situation. Kudos to you both.

[dianemilligan]

I admire how Nikki always finds the positives in any situation and how calmly you both focus on solving any problems.

[jasonschneider]

Thank goodness it's a 12v system and not a 24v with only one good battery left! Glad you made it through that situation okay! Hope everything is okay health-wise!

[billbradley]

I’d toss that fridge in the trash. Years ago my kitchen fridge broke down so I bought a BougeRV DC fridge. Was planning to use it temporarily until my kitchen fridge was fixed. 5 years later it’s still working 24/7. I love it. It sips solar power too.

[davidmather]

Thank goodness you are both safe. Thermal runaway in a battery is an extremely serious issue, but you both handled it incredibly well. Kudos to you both for such a fantastic job in very stressful circumstances. Well done!

[olebloom]

Great job handling an emergency. you two are great at being self sufficient when it matters.

[kimthomas]

What a crazy passage. You guys work so well together. You keep calm and take care of business. Hope your warranty issues are solved and you're back under way quickly!

[sandyj]

Man, this is stressful watching! Jason changing those batteries and Nikki steering into the Marina, you guys are made for each other. Hope things get sorted out and back on with cruising ✨

[dwk]

Very well done, both of you deserve a lot of praise and respect. There’s an old directive for pilots who are experiencing distracting, maybe even dangerous ancillary things during flight—“just fly the plane!” You guys did exactly that with the boat, and the result was a successful passage. Professional, heartfelt, entertaining and engaging storytelling…Wynn’s for the win!

[Eyagsf]

You guys are so brave to be sailing a revolutionary experiment. You are the guinea pigs for environmentally minded sailor. Please don’t venture far until you get the kinks worked out. We all wish the best for you guys and your experiment.

[hockeynutt]

Same, came back from dog walk, grabbed a coffee, saw the vlog notification, feet up watching. Cheers from Ontario, Canada

[NotAsTraceable]

If my wife and I had been confined to the space of a sailboat for 8 years one of us would have been fish food by now. You two seem like pretty easy going mature people which is kinda rare these days. Love you guys. Best wishes.

[michellereynolds]

I seriously hope HH can get all of the issues you're having sorted out sooner than later so that you can fully enjoy that beautiful cat! You guys definitely must be frustrated (heck, I'm frustrated for you watching from the comfort of my home!), but you're doing a great job of keeping a positive demeanor. Love my Sundays with the Wynns 💙

[paulines]

I don't know guys, Hubby and I are retired novice sailors. For us, it was ALL ABOUT being on the water.... enjoying nature in a peaceful and carefree place. I realize this is a new boat with new systems designed to enhance the experience but I feel, and it's just my old school opinion, that all the gadgetry has lept far beyond the true, nautical experience and has brought all the frustrations and complications of a land life out to sea with you. Having said that, I do admire how you two are able to navigate the unknowns while staying positive!

[Rob]

You both work so well together in a "crisis", no arguing no obvious stress with each other. Hopefully that's just how you are. Very inspiring people.