Both of St. Kitts Coast Guard Vessels Beached by Earl

[PyotrBee]

They rode out the hurricane, but early Mon morning the generator failed and they lost rudder control. They came ashore mostly uncontrolled and only assisted by the smaller boat. They just barely missed the rock and rock cliffs....

[Hud3]

An elderly French couple's ketch broke free and washed up on Pinneys Beach here on Nevis. They had attached themselves to two moorings and put out an anchor.

[SaltyMonkey]

Sad about the ketch.

On the side...

I wonder @ looking at pic though if this might be an advantage for a fin keel - that it could break off and the boat might be more easily freed from the beach and salvaged in some cases when the weather clears?

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

I wonder @ looking at pic though if this might be an advantage for a fin keel - that it could break off and the boat might be more easily freed from the beach and salvaged in some cases when the weather clears?

If the fin keel breaks it'll probably tear the bottom out of the boat as I don't think it will snap at the bolts. You'll have keel, keel bolts and washers and a hole in the boat.

[SaltyMonkey]

Yes, lets assume a hole. Still, the boat might be easier to move off the beach than a full keel?

[Hud3]

This one is a steel boat. I haven't looked at it, but it might be a centerboarder.

[SaltyMonkey]

Well, lets chalk one up to CB's!

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Yes, lets assume a hole. Still, the boat might be easier to move off the beach than a full keel?

It's surprising how a full keel boat can be dragged off the beach. I think they're easier than fin keels. Once when I was in Great Sale Cay sitting out a blow a full keeled boat got blown high and dry onto a rock shelf. I thought she would never come off but they pulled her off on the next high tide without too much effort.

[SaltyMonkey]

I would think a catam. would be even easier to kedge off.

[Hud3]

Down here they just bring in a couple of big front-end loaders, dig a bit of a channel in the sand and push/pull the boat back into the water.

[PyotrBee]

Thanks for the pic. There were rumors over here that a yacht had sunk in Nevis. I guess this is what they were talking about.

[PyotrBee]

The sugar dock finally collapsed over here too... Figured it would go soon it was in such bad shape.

[PyotrBee]

There was a yacht that sank. Its in Majors Bay, you can see the top of the mast and part of the sail sticking out of the water.