Onboard During Earthquake

[Hudson Force]

About a half hour ago Nancie and I were sitting below in our main cabin while the mast started pumping in the manner that we would have expected with a big wind. We went out and found little wind or wake and no understanding until the news broke about the 5.9 East US Coast earthquake. This is likely trivial news for you California guys, but I was surprised. I always assumed that there would be no sensation of an earthquake while on a boat, with the exception of later tsunami effects, of course, with big events. I guess you guys aboard in California regularly can sense moderate quakes on board your boats,- true?

[Cheechako]

Yeah, just heard it, unfortunately the whole congress building didnt collapse while in session. Ha ha

[Ed_Sail]

Yea - sitting in my office in Alex, VA - would prefer to be on the boat - its was quite disturbing - no apparent damage to the building. Wife is downtown DC - she says all is basically ok there too, all services (metro etc) seem to be running - traffic will be bad! Hope its not an issue but I think the epi is close to a large power plant.

[Vyndance]

Not trivial, 5.9 is a real earthquake!

[AnchorageGuy]

We were aboard for a 3.something in the Chesapeake in 2010 and a 5.0 in Guatemala on the Rio Dulce. Yes, you do notice it on a boat and it certainly is interesting. Chuck

[twoblocktom]

We have had at least six earthquakes (largest 5.6) in the last 24 hrs. here in Colorado.

[twoblocktom]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Yeah, just heard it, unfortunately the whole congress building didnt collapse while in session. Ha ha

They may deserve a whip'n but not killed. (well ok, I see your point)

[Bash]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

I guess you guys aboard in California regularly can sense moderate quakes on board your boats,- true?

It really depends on the quake. I've missed some pretty good ones while on the boat, but there have been others I've been able to hear and/or feel. Only one has ever awakened me at night.

Bottom line: given the choice between being on my boat or in my office for an earthquake, I'll take the boat any day.

[witzgall]

Gretchen felt it here in Apex, NC. I saw a computer screen vibrate, but that is about it.

Chris

[webejammin]

Originally Posted by twoblocktom

They may deserve a whip'n but not killed. (well ok, I see your point)

Missed this time

[zeehag]

is fun when the keel oscillates for 1-2 minuets....weird feeling...
i felt that in the pacific beach ones---- what did you guys feel?

[Seahunter]

We were tied up in MDR California when a big one hit near Calexico a few years back. I was standing in the companionway and could see masts bobbing like fishing floats one after the other and was thinking big wake when the pilings started shaking the crap out of our dock. Our boat bounced around a little bit, some boats pulled the odd dock line but probably would have missed it if sleeping. Those on shore were hanging on to railings etc and I heard people yelling in a nearby apartment "quake"!

[steamgoat]

Back in the late 70's I was hauled on the railway in English Harbor, sleeping on the boat, there was an earthtremor, I woke up thinking I was being launched !! Happy Days !

[roverhi]

It's a Tsunami that you don't feel if you out at sea. In shallower waters close to shore, you may definitley feel the effect as the bottom is so close to the surface and tends to move the water around a lot.

I was less than a 1/2 mile offshore when the tsunami wave hit that did most of the damage in Kailua-Kona. Didn't have the slightest indication that the Tsunami wave had passed under the boat. Of course, less than a !/2 mile offshore in Kona is in deeper waters than most of you Right Coast people ever see in life time.

5.9 is a pretty serious earthquake especially if it's epicenter is near the surface. I'm hearing reports that it was felt from Canada to South Carolina and as far inland as the Great Lakes. A lot of things had to move around for the effects to be felt over such a large area. More and more damage reports are coming in. Looks like the National Cathedral has major damage.

[svHyLyte]

When we lived in California we always kept enough food, water and supplies aboard the yacht that if necessary, we could live on the boat comfortably for a month or more. The rule was, if there's a major earthquake, meet at the boat. My friends used to tease us about being "Chicken Littles" until the Loma-Prieta. After that, not so much...

FWIW...