GRENADA - Caribbean Compass

— Continued from previous page
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve set up and didn’t get hit. Some were precautionary,
some I thought we might get hit, a couple of times I expected to be clobbered.
The first two of our four hits, we rode at anchor. The recent two, the strongest two,
we were snugged into mangroves. No damage or injuries so far, some problems, lots
of work. Let me stress that we have never experienced Category 2 or stronger winds,
much less (and I mean much less) the waves such winds can send into unprotected
bays. So, I’m no expert.
Our ground tackle is fairly serious. I rate it at 90 knots, though it has only been
tested to 60 knots. Ninety knots is twice the force of 60 knots. A hundred and twenty
knots is a lot more. Most of the boats anchored where Hurricane Ivan’s eye passed
dragged. But some of the boats were seriously anchored and doing fine until another
boat came down on them. Most yachts simply do not have sufficient ground tackle
for such conditions. Moreover, both the deck hardware and the holding ground need
to be sufficient. And the anchors must be well laid out and deeply set.
I consider the mangroves to be the best possible protection from hurricanes for a
boat in the water. Some places it is illegal (strictly enforced) to tie into (or even to)
the mangroves — to protect the mangroves. Almost everywhere it is illegal (or should
be) to cut the mangroves. The mangroves need protection for important ecology reasons,
but also, to protect us and those ashore from storms and tsunamis. And, also,
so our grandchildren will have shelter from the storm and fish to eat.
Arguably, the mangroves are safest if boats anchor entirely clear of them. My argument
is that a boat securely tied into the mangroves does far less damage than a
boat crashing into them, wrecking itself and possibly others, and spilling its diesel
and chemicals in the water. On the other hand, if the storm doesn’t hit (and most
times that one should prepare, the storm won’t hit, not seriously) tying into the
mangroves does more damage than never touching them. How much? When I do it,
as little as possible — not much.
I pick a small indentation in the mangroves, tie the bow into it (cradled by the
roots) and run lines into the mangroves from every cleat. I sight a fair lead from the
cleat to a serious branch or trunk, then to a branch or trunk beyond. If the branches
don’t seem serious enough (healthy and as thick as my leg), I run the line on to
a third and a fourth branch, as nearly in line as possible, threading the rope
through the small branches to get a fair lead. Each branch gets a loose clove hitch.
Then I tension the line, passing as much slack as possible back towards the boat,
setting the clove hitches as I go. The lines are run above deck level to allow for a
small storm surge. I climb into the mangroves from the bow, above the slippery
roots and dangerous oysters — do not start the storm with slashed feet. I move
slowly and carefully through the mangroves, breaking as little as possible, cutting
nothing. It takes hours.
I reckon the mangroves to be the best possible protection for the boat, and the
boat, once sheltered and secured, the best possible protection for me. And being
aboard, in turn, makes the boat safer. When the storm hits, I’ll be aboard.
A friend with more hurricane experience than I read this piece. We disagree on
staying aboard. To my ending, “I’ll be aboard,” he added, “Wish me luck!” He has a
point, though we basically agree on the survival potential of the individual boat. If
his boat isn’t where he left it after the storm, it will probably be because someone
else wiped him out. So, yes, wish me luck.
— Continued from page 15 … Regatta News
Launched in 2006, Kate was built on St. Kitts by Philip Walwyn. She is bronze-fastened
Oregon pine over mahogany frames with length overall at 78 feet, a beam of 11 feet
four inches, and draws seven feet six inches. Now rigged as a gaff sloop, it is planned
that she be re-rigged as a gaff yawl over the summer months. Though the yawl configuration
will affect her official rating, her speed should increase substantially.
Kate was precisely designed to the ‘First Rule’ (1907) of the International 12 Metre
specification. Wooden Boat Magazine is sponsoring the wooden vessel class for this
year’s Golden Rock.
The Golden Rock Regatta kicks off in Great Bay, St. Maarten for the first race on
November 13th; next day the fleet races to Gustavia, St. Barth’s, followed on the 15th
by a single-leg run to the finish line off the cliffs below Fort Oranje on Statia. On the 16th,
in commemoration of the first salute accorded the flag of the United States, the First
Salute Race, a series of windward/leeward legs, will take place in front of Fort Oranje,
followed that evening by prize giving at the Fort.
The next day an informal race back to Oyster Pond, St. Maarten culminates in a
buffet at Captain Oliver’s, with dancing to live music.
For more information visit www.goldenrockregatta.com.
Calling All ARC’86 Children!
This year is a significant milestone for the famous Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) as
the 25th edition will set off from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay, Saint
Lucia on November 21st. To help celebrate, event organizers World Cruising Club
want to hear from those who took part in the historic first rally in 1986, especially from
any ARC’86 children.
There are veteran sailors and yachts of the first ARC taking part in ARC 2010 and
World Cruising Club is preparing an especially warm welcome for them!
World Cruising Club’s Jeremy Wyatt says, “The first ARC was a great adventure for all
those involved, especially families sailing with children. Family boats have always been
an important part of the rally ever since the first ARC in 1986. We would love to hear
from anyone who was under 16 years old when they sailed in ARC’86; we’d like to
know your story, your memories of the ARC, whether you still sail now as an adult. We
know you ‘ARC kids’ are out there, so please get in touch!”
Contact World Cruising Club at mail@worldcruising.com or post a message via the
website at www.worldcruising.com.
Jolly Harbour YC News
Jolly Harbour Yacht Club (JHYC) of Antigua hosts a sailing event every Saturday all
year long, including winter, spring, summer and autumn race series each with seven
races, and trips to other islands, destinations or events. Everyone is welcome to sail on
Saturdays or come take a weekend trip.
JHYC’s Youth Sailing Program, which teaches Antiguan kids to sail for free, helped
sailing to become part of the national curriculum in Antigua schools and is working
with the Government to expand the program to as many children a possible.
For more information visit www.JHYCAntigua.com.
JULY 2010 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 27