H minus 5
August 23, 2011
Well, it is soon to be show time. The NHC predicts a direct hit on Wilmington, NC which means Why Knot is in the cross hairs again. Landfall is expected to be around 2000 hours Saturday and that gives marine interests in the area time to prep the best way possible. The make ready takes on several forms. The big boats are heading to the yards or way up stream or to other ports to seek shelter from winds and waves. Smaller boats are now attempting to find a yard to properly brace on brackets ashore or for creeks, bayous and marinas with floating docks, trees and other protections. Tidal surges can completely destroy floating docks if it tops the guide pilings. Fixed docks are not as desirable since one has to tie the boat in such a way as to allow for surge. The mind set is that surely the storm will turn at the last minute and go elsewhere. In this case, the models are somewhat in agreement that Wilmington is the chosen target.
Those that have never been in the strike zone cannot imagine what takes place in the next five days. Essentially, all normal life morphs into full press get ready. Stores start to sell off foods and water, batteries and plywood. Conversations concentrate on the latest predictions. Boats are stripped of stuff that can “catch” wind. Then they are laced into a slip with as much line as one can find. Hull valves are closed and anything that can be used on the next boat is removed. We will not be there to do that so we cast our fate to the winds, so to speak. We do have the log books and ships documents here in Texas along with an electronic inventory of the stuff aboard. Even if relatively undamaged, there is usually electrical damage to the instruments and other sensitive stuff. Thus the To Do list grows for when we return. Still that is unknown given the medical issues of the crew. We will do the countdown and wait for the first view after the storm. Wouldn’t you know it? Leave her alone for a bit and she gets in trouble