Eye on the storm

We are still tied up to the Russell pier, now with 12 lines out in every direction. The storm on Tuesday was a real dilly. Actually it reached cyclone strength, even though it wasn’t “named.” Near Russell one rain gauge recorded 274 mm of rain (11 inches) and a regional weather station recorded a 180 km/h gust (100 mph). We saw 51 knots on our wind gauge, but certainly felt stronger gusts.

Anticipating the storm, we had moved to the Russell pier, facing NE into the wind, and in the lee of the land. All around the area, many, many boats dragged, broke their moorings, hit other ships, blew ashore, sank or were damaged on piers. The Coast Guard was scurrying around, Channel 16 was full of Maydays and flares were being shot off. Ashore, roofs blew off, trees fell and closed roads and took down power lines, low areas were flooded and some bridges were washed out. Russell was without power for a day. The Maggie B danced a bit amid all her lines, but rode things out fine. We kept the diesel stove burning, the deck lights on as a guide for others, and bailed the Reep every hour or so.

We helped rescue one boat, the Figment from Florida. She had broken free from her mooring, gotten holed when she hit another boat, and sunk her two dinghies. She had quite a struggle in the wind to make the lee of Russell. Her owner had a broken ankle (don’t put your foot between two ships in a storm), and both on board were in early stages of hyperthermia. We guided them into a safe berth, handled their lines, got them on board and gave them warm, dry clothes and hot tea with a big dose of rum.

Commanders Weather says that we may be able to get an opening for a nice SW’erly to take us to Tahiti by next Monday, July 16th. We are ready.

All is well.