Visitors
27 January 2012 | French Harbor
WINDY
We had visitors on Thursday here in French Harbor Roatan. Under the category of its a small world Phyllis and James Perry my son's in laws from TN were scheduled to visit Roatan on a Celebrity cruise ship and had a few hours here in Roatan. We arranged to meet at the Iquana farm a frequent cruise ship destination and made preparations accordingly.
We moved Sound Effect closer anchoring about 150yds off their dock and waited.
The day started early about 5am. We overheard Carnival cruise ship on our local radio channel talking to the harbor master and reporting 30-33kts at the entrance to their anchorage. The captain elected to miss Roatan as it was too dangerous to dock and bade the harbor master gooodby and see you in few weeks. So after that we began monitoring channel 16 to listen for Celebrity Solstice the Perry's ship. He called sometime later and discussed conditions. Celebrity anchors in a more protected bay and the winds were reported in the twenties. The captain declared is was too windy for tendering, but neglected to say what he would do.
At this point we were in doubt that they would arrive.
Later on an SSB net at 8am it was stated that the Celebrity ship was off west end with spray flying off the ship so we figured he wasnt coming.
Nevertheless we dinghied over to the Iguana farm only to find a gaggle of cruise ship passengers. When we inquired they said they were from the ship we wanted the Solstice and moments later we found the Perry's
The wind in the bay had been kicking up all week and we had had many wet rides to and from activities so we elected to take them one at a time back to the boat, however even with precautions we got James soaked by the time he arrived. Once we were on board we had a nice lunch that Connie had prepared, and a nice chat.
Then we put out a call on the radio for Mike at Brooksy point because he has a much bigger dinghy but he didnt come up on the radio so Pea Soup and Sailors Run overhearing the radio volunteered to come and ferry the Perrys to shore for the taxi back.
Reg from Pea Soup arrived and we loaded them on board. The picture is of the Perrry's loaded on to the dry dinghy for the ride to shore.
Thanks to our cruiser friend for coming to our assistance.
Even without cell phones we were able to meet people on a small caribbean island just like the old days.