To the editor:

Just over a week ago my wife and I were motor sailing from Maine to Newport when the drive to the prop failed. We decided to divert to Sakonnet Harbor and are so pleased that we did.

At first we suspected a bust gearbox. Fortunately it wasn't quite that bad and we got the parts shipped from Florida, installed them yesterday and left towards New York this morning.

I am writing really to tell you of two fantastic locals: Mike Massa, the harbormaster and Rob Cavanagh. Those two, supported by their wives, gave us a great welcome and much appreciated help.

Mike came out to meet us after we called him to check that there was space available and to be sure that we could get ourselves in. Another day he delivered two enormous fillets of bluefish as he returned from a fishing trip. He also allowed us to use his home as a shipping delivery address.

Rob ran us around Tiverton to get new bolts and hoses and allow us to do provisions shopping. He also brought us fish and lobster meat as a gift.

Both of them stopped by our boat regularly to make sure that we could manage the work ourselves, offering any needed help each time.

Thank you both. You made our problems much smaller.

Joyce and John

UK Sloop Starblazer