HURRICANE IRMA'S EFFECT IN BVI'S

[Mithril Bham]

Originally Posted by Wendi

There are pics being posted for VG and some parts of Tortola, so there must be some communication to upload these. Nothing from Nanny Cay, just one post from someone who said all the boats in the yard tipped over. But no pics of Nanny Cay.

Seen that. Computers can be transported with video. Satellite communication always available but apparently phones and standard internet down as of a few hours ago.

[Pete O Static]

Some pictures coming in from Nanny Cay. However, this is in the boatyard, not the hurricane storage yard where boats were physically strapped to ground tackle.

[Yetii]

Google says that catamaran 'Catsy' is a 62 Sunreef. Big boat, just tossed. Amazing.

[NevisDog]

Looking closely at that first photo of damage, is it possible that those boats in top left and top right are tethered into the mangroves, and may have survived relatively unscathed?

[TheThunderbird]

In view of the seasonal risks..... I believe that the Caribe should be looked at bit differently, as a dangerous, risky place.

Definitely, the way boating is managed must be reviewed.

Thai is a recurring situation, not a one of a kind event.

Prayers for the victims

[Pete O Static]

Originally Posted by NevisDog

Looking closely at that first photo of damage, is it possible that those boats in top left and top right are tethered into the mangroves, and may have survived relatively unscathed?

The masts you see that are upright off in the distance are in the Hurricane Storage area where they would have been tightly strapped to ground tackle.

[ranchero76]

Originally Posted by Yetii

Google says that catamaran 'Catsy' is a 62 Sunreef. Big boat, just tossed. Amazing.

That Sunreef 62 was for sale, after very nice refit, with some really nice features. So sad to see all that...

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2008...s#.WbGsjRpJnVh

[NevisDog]

Originally Posted by Pete O Static

The masts you see that are upright off in the distance are in the Hurricane Storage area where they would have been tightly strapped to ground tackle.

You may be referring to the photo in post #17; I was asking about the damage photo in post #1: two small yachts top left are bow into the mangroves and look to be relatively intact. A row of yachts top right are at least still afloat, again with bows into mangroves, and they may also have survived the terrible destruction seen in the foreground (presumably all of the yachts from the moorings in the middle of the lagoon).

Is it possible that sheltering with bows deep among the mangroves has provided just enough protection for those few yachts to have survived?

[JPA Cate]

NevisDog,

Mangroves offer extraordinary protection. They break up the wind. Friends sheltered in a cyclone in Fiji, one time, up a mangrove creek. They had 55 at the masthead, and 0 on deck.

Of course, the force of Irma was much greater than a mere 55 and the force increases as the square of the wind speed. Terrifying to contemplate.

Ann

[Pete O Static]

Originally Posted by NevisDog

You may be referring to the photo in post #17; I was asking about the damage photo in post #1: two small yachts top left are bow into the mangroves and look to be relatively intact. A row of yachts top right are at least still afloat, again with bows into mangroves, and they may also have survived the terrible destruction seen in the foreground (presumably all of the yachts from the moorings in the middle of the lagoon).

Is it possible that sheltering with bows deep among the mangroves has provided just enough protection for those few yachts to have survived?

Oh, yes absolutely. If you have enough depth to poke into the mangroves they are your best bet. They break the wind and their root structure is absolutely tenacious. You can literally secure your boat to them. In years past, they were treated like a protected species exactly for hurricane protection. Now unfortunately, they are mowed down in the name of progress.

In Tortola where TMM and Doyle are now, used to be a great hole surrounded by mangrove. I once built a fort in there when I was a kid and got yelled at by a crusty salt for damaging what is used for protection.

[Hasbeen]

I have ridden out a number of cyclones in mangrove creeks on the Queensland coast inside the Great Barrier Reef. These are big mangroves, 2Ft+ diameter trunks & over 40Ft high. The effect of 200 or 400 yards of these is quite remarkable. I had 4 men looking after 10 boats, with out much trouble.


Even with 100 knot winds a couple of miles away we had only little gusts, interspersed with calm. The worst thing was the sand flies & mosquitos. They rarely saw so much food, & moved in for the banquet.


In the wettest one we had a 10 knot current running down the creak, & a 15Ft surge, so you needed good ropes, & plenty of adjustability. I started to get nervous when I could see over the trees from the wheelhouse of the 75 Ft ferry, but it still stayed almost calm. Apart from that it was pretty safe.

[LLizzard]

Originally Posted by Pete O Static

Some pictures coming in from Nanny Cay. However, this is in the boatyard, not the hurricane storage yard where boats were physically strapped to ground tackle.

Pete, how do you know these pics are from Nanny Cay. What is your source of this info/ pics please? If it's Nanny, my new boat should be somewhere in that brew in the water.

[Mithril Bham]

Recently heard reports of looting & violence in St. Martin & BVI. Hate the thought of that. Not expected in those places. Communications are very sketchy right now. Jose coming soon. Poor people.

[DeepFrz]

Originally Posted by magellanyachts

Recently heard reports of looting & violence in St. Martin & BVI. Hate the thought of that. Not expected in those places. Communications are very sketchy right now. Jose coming soon. Poor people.

Its called survival, not looting. Starving, thirsty and tired people will do what they have to do in order to survive.

[Cheechako]

Nanny Cay etc: