Cyclone Prep

[Laidback]

Storm now going inland

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by svstrider

here is a link to story
Cyclone Ului re-intensifies to category 3; crosses coast at 1.30am Sunday | Courier Mail
The cyclone crossed around 0130 hrs at Airlie Beach. Around a dozen yachts were washed into the rocks at Whitsunday sailing Club including ex Sydney to Hobart yacht "Anaconda II". Ului was a cat 3 when she crossed.

Very sad.....

[Morgan Paul]

Here is video.

YouTube - Cyclone Ului: Whitsundays Morning After

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

Very sad.....

I still cant figure out what any of those boats were doing parked out the front.

They had plenty of warning that it was coming, more than enough to run well away to a safe river/creek/mangrove system or even a marina.

That plus the records show that boats left out there get smashed.

2008 storm and images

[downunder]

Find attached a link to my album where I have posted pictures of the damage from Cat 3 Cyclone Ului at Airlie Beach and Schute Harbour in the Whitsundays.

Vessels in marina were OK but over 70 vessels on moorings or anchored wher either washed up or sunk.


Cruisers & Sailing Forums - downunder's Album: Cyclone Ului Airlie beach March 2010


Highest wind strength was just over 200 kph at Hamilton Island. Schute Harbour winds would have been at least 150 kph. Cyclone Ului did not strip tree leaves and was not as strong as Cyclone Ada some 30 years ago. A better warning system and improved building construction standards now certainly ensured no lives were lost as with Ada. Boats were another matter.

From my observations

• Get out of the area - head north out of the danger zone as commercial shipping from coal ports did OR INTO MANGROVES.
• Not sure why live aboards who lost vessels did not do this. There was plenty of warning.
• Chains on moorings parted. Dive your moorings and add extra new chains.
• Saw several heavy Poly ropes on moorings UV damaged that failed.
• A lot of self furling sails destroyed themselves. Basic sail safety.

regards
John

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Downunder,

Thanks for the pictures, sad as they are. There has been zero info in the dirt-dwelling media relative to the outcome for boats in the Airlie region. I had great fears and they seem to have been borne out. Does seem that many boats were simply abandoned... no prep at all. With several days worning, and with the predicted path always in the Airlie region, it is sad commentary to see nearly all the boats with sails, covers, dinghys in davits etc. Makes one wonder what goes on in their owners minds.

On another issue, how did things fare at McKay, and at Laguna Quays?

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Church Point, NSW Oz
(until the bloody cyclone season is over!!!)

[downunder]

Jim,

I totally agree re lack of proper preparation with plenty of warning.

Mackay Marina - all vessels OK. wind only got to app 120-130kph.
Rock wall had quite of rocks moved and bitumen on breakwater damaged but apparently wall is designed for rocks to move and thus adsorb enegry.

No vessel loss that I know off. However I would have been in the mangroves if I had a vessel myself.

Not sure about Lagoona but I expect boats in Marina OK. the resort had quite a bit of Trees knocked over.

We can still get cyclones through April. this is the first old time wet in Mackay for some 25 years. Nothing unusual - not climate change.

regards