Helia 44: Irma's Wrath

[PapaLulu]

Our 2015 Helia Maestro, S/V Big Papa Lulu, was on the hard and tied down at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour when Irma's eye passed over.

[Kiwikat]

Oh man, I feel your pain. Absolutely heartbreaking!

[PapaLulu]

Originally Posted by Kiwikat

Oh man, I feel your pain. Absolutely heartbreaking!

Thanks. We've had good times with family and friends on this boat in the short time we've had her. Hard to process the strength of this storm.

[SV Bacchus]

That makes me sick to look at. So sorry for your loss.

[PapaLulu]

Originally Posted by SV Bacchus

That makes me sick to look at. So sorry for your loss.

Thank you. Already looking/hoping for another.

[Smully]

So incredibly sad! We were scheduled to charter her the first week of December. Hope you and your family are all safe and we wish you the best in finding your next boat! We'll keep sending our love and support to the beautiful people of BVI.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Smully.

[PapaLulu]

Originally Posted by Smully

So incredibly sad! We were scheduled to charter her the first week of December. Hope you and your family are all safe and we wish you the best in finding your next boat! We'll keep sending our love and support to the beautiful people of BVI.

Thanks for your kind comments. Our family is all safe and we have a lot to be thankful for, including the roof over our heads. We too hope to lend our support to the folks at BVI, USVI and Spanish VI who've born the brunt of this storm.

[Snore]

WOW! You did all the right things. She was on the hard and tied down.

The photos are just numbing.

[Davidhoy]

So sorry for you loss! Do you know the status of other boats in Yacht Harbour? Some very good friends had their cat "Frolic" tied down there too. Last I spoke with them (they are safe here in Florida), they did not know whether "Frolic" made it through the storm or not. Doesn't look too promising... :-(

We really dodged a bullet here in South Florida. My Morgan 462 made it through without a scratch. Good preparation, and a good deal of luck.

Regards,
David

[PapaLulu]

Originally Posted by Smully

So incredibly sad! We were scheduled to charter her the first week of December. Hope you and your family are all safe and we wish you the best in finding your next boat! We'll keep sending our love and support to the beautiful people of BVI.

Thanks for your kind comments. Our family is all safe and we have a lot to be thankful for, including the roof over our heads. We too hope to lend our support to the folks at BVI, USVI and Spanish VI who've born the brunt of this storm.

[Seapatience]

Those pictures made my heart sink. I am so sorry for your loss but I'm glad you are safe. Boats can be replaced. Sympathies go out to you. I live in Annapolis, so if you need any resources from here I will help in any way that I can.

[PapaLulu]

Thanks. We had been planning to attend the Sailboat Show there but now have to plan getting back to BVI to rescue any possessions left on the boat.

[wanderlust42]

Terrible news and really sorry to hear about your loss. As it appears that it's the tie-downs which failed, could you please let us know what it was tied down to, and the number and type of tie-downs used? In the end, what failed? The ground anchor points or the tie-down lines/straps themselves? Would be very helpful to know for future hurricane storage planning. Thanks!

[PapaLulu]

We haven't been able to get on to VG yet. Surveyor was due there yesterday but the yard has reportedly been busy cleaning up so not sure what lessons can be learned. We won't be on VG until the boat is upright, if at all.