When to Anchor for a Hurricane or a Tropical Storm

[maxingout]

I lived in Puerto Rico for five years and each year I faced the same decision. Every time a hurricane or tropical storm threated, I had to decide when I was going to anchor my yacht before the storm hit.

When storm warnings came, everyone rushed out into the harbors, nooks, and crannies to anchor their yachts. It was a fairly chaotic situation, and I had big misgiving about joining the waves of concerned captains. What bothered me the most was two things.

1. The best locations quickly filled up with yachts to the point that there were too many yachts in a confined area, and if the storm hit, the yachts themselves would participate in a giant demolition derby from yachts smashing into each other during the storm. That particular scenario was a very good argument for a steel yacht.

2. No matter where you anchored, and no matter how good your ground tackle, if someone with inadequate anchors and poor ground tackle anchored to windward of you, all of your preparation went down the drain. When they dragged anchor, they would obliterate your boat. A friend of mine did just fine in a Pacific hurricane until another boat dragged into his and puched a hole in the hull sinking the yacht.

Because of these two facts, I came up with my own saying about storm anchoring. HE WHO ANCHORS LAST, ANCHORS BEST.

This method always worked for me. I waited until everyone else had their anchor down, and then I went out and laid my anchors and placed my yacht so that nobody else could drag into me. I never worried about other yachts dragging into me, and I never had other yachts crowding around me because I was the last person to put the anchor down.

What is your strategy and timing of anchoring for tropical storms and hurricanes?

[mikeandrebecca]

I have no opinion on this subject being a newbie who is not yet "out there." I just wanted to say thanks for always posting such thought-provoking questions.

Mike

[s/v Moondancer]

Tied in the mangroves...

[barnakiel]

1) Dig the hole, hire the crane, plant the boat. Out of surge's reach.

2) Drive her into the mangroves.

3) Clear out from the area to be affected.

But we like your attitude to anchor last - makes a lot of sense. Unless there is space left when you come, which is often the real problem in places like the West Indies.

b.



b.

[bewitched]

I can see some logic of anchoring last, but I would prefer much more time to set up.

Extra early - 2 days before: Try to get on a mooring - if you are in an area where RTS are common, the moorings are likely to be designed accordingly. Check the mooring (dive). Add your own chain to the mooring block if necessary. Minimum 4 lines from mooring to boat in a protected anchorage (the more the better)

Early - the day before: If no mooring, you have no choice but to anchor. I will usually dive the bottom if there is time and see if there are any large rocks, crevices to take advantage off (wrap the chain around rocks a coulple of times, jam anchor into crevice by hand etc.).

Anchoring last and you will most likely be the most exposed and if the RTS goes over the top of you, the wind will do a 180 and then everyone else will be in front of you, and their anchors are likely to be breaking free, chains twisting and all that horror show.

For me - get in early and be actively abusive to anyone who comes within hailing distance. Establish the best position and defend it jelously.

[Pelagic]

I have exactly the same philosophy as you Dave, if there is a crowd.

For me, finding a deep hole to place the anchor with lots of swing room is more important than maximum protection with a crowd around you

[s/v Moondancer]

Is this all theory or has anyone anchored in a Cat II to III to VI? and survived...Big difference once the wind gets above 100 knots!

[Ram]

One things for sure, if i could not out run the storm I would stay onboard-

[Tellie]

Can't speak for other hurricane prone areas, but I lived in Florida all my life. Been through a few big blows. Always stayed away from the known holes. Way too crowded once all the marinas empty out. If you were to anchor in a known hole, trying to be the last one in would seem to be a dangerous game to play, at least here. Bewitced makes a point well worth noting "For me - get in early and be actively abusive to anyone who comes within hailing distance. Establish the best position and defend it jelously." Late arrivals will always be treated that way here in the known holes. Crowded known holes are only as secure as the weakest anchor dropped.

[jkleins]

Originally Posted by Ram

One things for sure, if i could not out run the storm I would stay onboard-

I have often heard that but everything I have read from people who actually did it suggest they wouldn't do it again. One guy said when the wind was that strong there was actually nothing he could physically do if something happened so it was useless for him to be there. He said he tried to just stick his head out and couldn't see or move forward at all against the wind. He couldn't even stand at the wheel so he couldn't have even run the motor if he wanted to.
I have always thought being there early during the cleanup would be an advantage as you might salvage something that otherwise would be ruined but I am not sure the risk would make it worthwhile. Maybe a concrete building on a hill overlooking the bay.

Jim

[Bill_E]

We just got our boat (finally) to Puerto Rico after a lot of miles with the wind on the nose. There are several popular places to tie and anchor in the mangroves but none of them are really close to Fajardo (our present marina). Maxingout...where did you anchor? Does anyone have any ideas about anchoring vs. tying up in a mangrove swamp vs. securely tying to the pilings in a "protected" marina and then watching for the surge?

I wouldn't stay aboard but I'd like to be close enough to get there whenever the wind was below something like 80 kts.

[s/v Moondancer]

Wlearl,

On the hard at Puerto Del Rey marina in Fajardo used to be a good location, they dig holes for the keel and have serious tie-downs but they turned away their old customers 2 yrs ago so that they could take the Moorings Fleet...not sure of present status there.

Culebra is a reasonable anchorage but alot of boat were damaged there a few years back. It is good holding but you would need three big anchors at 120 deg all off the bow and you can get ashore easily.

The mangroves on the south of Vieques are good if you can get in with your draft but getting off the boat to real safety would be difficult.

When I was in Fajardo 2 yrs ago I went to Nova Scotia for hurricane season and had to dodge a tropical storm and a hurricane up there...

Personally our boats have survived, without damage, 4 hurricanes including 2 Cat II's by being in the mangroves in Florida. This hurricane season we were in Trinidad and we are going to Cartagena next season...We would not stay in the northern Caribbean for hurricane season it is too much of a 'craps shoot'.

We view hurricane season as a reason to visit somewhere they don't have them very often; in two years time we plan to spend hurricane season in Scotland.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by s/v Moondancer

Is this all theory or has anyone anchored in a Cat II to III to VI? and survived...Big difference once the wind gets above 100 knots!

CAT IV-V, hurricane Ivan in Grenada in 2004. Jedi was at (single 176 lb Bruce) anchor and 90% of the damage was caused by another boat dragging into our anchor chain. The other 10% was minor like some cracked welds in the bimini frame.

The mangroves are the best option, probably 99% chance of survival without much damage... unless there are other boats around that smash you up.

We did well because we have a great big anchor and don't tend to shear behind it. We were not aboard because I would have been in the mangroves otherwise.

cheers,
Nick.

[top_deck2]

Sounds like a great plan til it all turns to custard.
They actually have a Cyclone action plan for the harbour in Cairns Australia and everyone has a designated area they must take their boat and anchor. They go up into the mangroves (east/west channel preferred in our hemisphere) then they tie off across the creek so first in best dressed so to speak. the big drawback here is then you have to wait for the last person to move so you can get out. apparantly the wind doesn't get the lift in the mangrove area especially a narrow channel.

ciao

Karen

[Ram]

Originally Posted by jkleins

I have often heard that but everything I have read from people who actually did it suggest they wouldn't do it again. One guy said when the wind was that strong there was actually nothing he could physically do if something happened so it was useless for him to be there. He said he tried to just stick his head out and couldn't see or move forward at all against the wind. He couldn't even stand at the wheel so he couldn't have even run the motor if he wanted to.
I have always thought being there early during the cleanup would be an advantage as you might salvage something that otherwise would be ruined but I am not sure the risk would make it worthwhile. Maybe a concrete building on a hill overlooking the bay.

Jim

Jim Im also a south Florida native and have lived through just about every hurricane that has hit the area in the last 50+ years, -yes I would stay aboard run engines if needed and perhaps try and keep other boats from dragging into me with my limited mobility -the best thing is to leave the area if you can,next best is the mangroves or out of the water- but if I had to anchor id stay onboard, --away from others put all 4 anchors down and hope for the best/ I use swimmers goggles in heavy wind/rain- coated with rainx this works well so you can see whats going on-