SANDY-
10/29/2012 12:21 PM
I just got back from checking on Why Knot. We have seven large dock lines securing her to windward and the winds are gusting to 40 knots at this time. Fortunately, it is not coming down the long fetch. Why Knot is on internal power and her new freezer is actually consuming half the amp hours of the old unit. That means we can keep her freezer active for almost 5 days with our house bank of batteries. I noticed the usual dripping hatch over Bear’s side of the berth. Since I happen to know she does not like to sleep on a wet bed ( I am quick that way, being captain and all). I made provisions to catch the drip for at least two days. I will report how I did that after I know if it works or not. Either way, she will not have to sleep on the wet side. Scurv and I will toss for the honor.
Sandy is making her turn which amazes me that the models predicted such a radical move. Snow is falling a hundred miles west of here. Rain is not the word for what is happening here. The high bridges are soon to close because of high winds. There is no panic or even a sense of urgency but the preparations are made. Folks heed the warnings yet the stores are still stocked. The utility companies in this immediate are spent the summer trimming trees away from the power lines and that will pay off. They have crews sitting in running trucks staged everywhere. It is only a matter of time until the power goes off calling them to duty. My Dad was a district Central Power and Light manager in Seadrift on the Texas Coast in the ‘50s. He never left the area for hurricanes. When the power went off, he went to work regardless of the hour. Next time hear of that happening; remember that some person is suited up in the rain trying to get the power back on so we can have ice and watch stupid politicians on TV.
The pre game is complete and we are about to see the kickoff. This beast is already the largest storm in history.