Two days ago as Solar Voyager was whirring along under solar power from Gloucester to Lisbon 60 miles south of Sable Island and something happened. One of two motors conked out and it was tossed around, submerged a bit, maybe dragged by something. Two days later the motor is still out. The most likely explanation is that fishing line is wrapped around a propeller.
Last night Solar Voyager tweeted: “We could really use some help! Anyone know anyone who fishes in the Grand Banks or has a boat in Nova Scotia?
If you know anyone in the area fishing you can find the GPS coordinates refreshed ever 15 minutes here. Leave comments on this post if you think you might know someone. There is only a 7 knot breeze and 1 foot waves so it should be easy to spot. Think of a large aluminum kayak painted blue. I doubt there are many that size out there.
[edit] add photo of props (photo is from the Gloucester High School Sailing Facebook page)
[second edit] Read comments from Solar Voyager.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Hi Paul,
This is Isaac from Solar Voyager. Thank you for the post. We really would like to know if anyone from the Gloucester community knows anyone in the area that could swing by on the way out or back.
We are 100% volunteer at Solar Voyager, but we could put together a gift to thank anyone who could go out cut her loose from the presumed tangled net. Maybe some cash to cover fuel costs and a little bit extra for their time?
Charter operations and fishermen connections would be fine. We would be happy to discuss with them the details to see if they are interested/available.
It would mean a great deal to us, if anyone has connections either from Gloucester or Halifax, etc. in Nova Scotia.
Please feel free to email us directly at thesolarvoyager@gmail.com to introduce any leads!
Sincerely,
Chris and Isaac
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Happy to spread the word. I hope you can find someone. It is way out there. A long shot: If you use AIS to check marine traffic. http://www.marinetraffic.com/ there are some boats out there. I don’t have an account so the data is 2 to 9 hours old. There is a natural gas platform just to the west of Sable Island with a supply ship “Atlantic Condor” at the platform. Fishing boats out there but one has to own an account at marine traffic to get full data. You might be able to get their sat phone from home base. Good luck, -Paul
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If you go to that marine traffic site and on the left “search” for Atlantic Condor. It will them zoom to the right layer showing that boat at the platform and nearby F/V.
Ah, just searched for Atlantic Condor and it is back in Halifax. There might be another supply ship out there. Usually there is one on station. (And the reason why it might not be able to leave for a fishing line cutting job.)
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