"The Team Gallagher fellas are making great progress averaging approximately 60 nautical miles (111km) a day in the last five to six days. 

However, they have had their share of issues to deal with, one of the more important ones was the broken rudder from a few days ago.  As you could well imagine the rudder is a critical part of the boats ability to not only travel in the right direction but also assist in positioning the boat in the best angle to approaching waves.  In others words it helps get the crew to where they want to go safely! 

The breakage on the rudder was to one of two appendages that stick out each side of the rudder and where steering cables attach.  With the breakage on one side the steering cable had to be faxed with a shackle at the rear edge of the rudder.  This fixing point gives less leverage and effectively increases the load on the self steering and foot steering systems.  

The guys on Team Gallagher reported yesterday that the self steering unit was “sounding dreadful”.  I’ve suggested they minimise the use of the self steering unit to calmer days and use the foot steering for rougher weather.  If both systems fail all is not lost.  They will then need to lock off the rudder and make small manual adjustments as needed. 

Go Team Gallagher crew!  Go Moana!"

- Rob Hamill