By Helen Jaccard
The Peace in the Pacific Voyage has some unfortunate news to share with WILPF members. Many of you probably expected to hear by now that we arrived in Hilo, but the Golden Rule anti-nuclear peace boat had to return to San Diego due to engine problems.
Sea water flowed in through the exhaust system and ruined the engine. Fortunately, the captain was able to start the engine and the return trip was uneventful.
Golden Rule’s engine has been removed and was determined to need an extensive rebuild, which would cost almost as much as a new engine. So a new one is on its way, at a cost of over $16,000 including labor and repair dock fees. The engine installation should be complete by June 7.
Crew will gather between June 7 and 15 for sea trials, breaking in the new engine, and final preparations for the voyage to Hawai’i, leaving San Diego approximately July 1 and arriving in Hawaii around July 25.
