29 October 2016 | Georgia, USA
29 October 2016 | Georgia, USA
08 October 2016 | Brunswick, Georgia, USA
07 October 2016 | Hotel on West Side of Hwy I-95, Brunswick, GA, USA
07 October 2016 | Brunswick, Georgia, USA
06 October 2016 | Brunswick, Georgia, USA
05 October 2016 | Brunswick, Georgia, USA
04 October 2016 | Photo off Outer Banks near Cape Lookout, North Carolina.
27 September 2016 | Piankatank River, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA
22 September 2016 | Current Position - Sassafras River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA
16 September 2016 | Orient, Long Island, New York, USA
11 September 2016 | Ebenecook Harbor near Boothbay Harbor, Maine, USA
07 September 2016 | Penobscot Bay, Maine, USA
05 September 2016 | Penobscot Bay, Maine, USA
04 September 2016 | North Haven, Vinalhaven, Maine, USA
28 August 2016 | Castine, Maine, USA
27 August 2016 | Belfast, Maine, USA
12 August 2016 | Mount Washington, New Hampshire, USA
06 August 2016 | Canada/USA Border Crossing
04 August 2016 | La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada
Hurricane Sandy 65 Miles Away Now
26 October 2012 | Port Lucaya Marina, Freeport, Bahamas
Vicki - 50 kn gusts, 1000 mb, showers, as at Noon local time Friday
At 2 am Freeport lost power so the surrounding hotels and buildings were completely dark except for emergency lighting powered by their own generators. We now have no power at the marina and no marina internet although our satellite tv is working like a dream so we can still source information from it and cell internet. Of course we still have our own power and water on Vanish so we are very comfortable. Currently, Hurricane Sandy is only 65 miles east of our location at Marsh Harbour with 50 mph gusts occurring within a 300 mile radius of its centre. Its central pressure is 978 mb and has slowed to a speed of 6 mph. At 10 am this morning, the wind suddenly rose from gusts of 35 kn with lulls to gusts of over 50 kn. At West End, they are experiencing 45 knots with gusts over 60 knots. Here, the water is being lifted off the surface in the marina as it races towards us and is backing to the NW. We've had very little rain in the last 24 hours. We have wind waves but little storm surge and hope it stays this way.
Both Maynard and I have been through many storms in the past, the worst being at our house perched on a hill the locals nicknamed Hurricane Hill overlooking Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia in 1987. During a particularly bad storm front, we experienced winds of 70 - 80 knots and this was the right speed for our large heavy roof tiles to start flying skywards and pierce our front lawn. I only mention this because the sound, the force and the feel of the wind and weather has ensured great respect over the years. We've also been on a yacht in another heavy storm in Refuge Cove, Victoria, Australia in 1991 in winds in excess of 60 knots and of course Maynard skippered Cruz Control in the 2000 Sydney - Hobart Yacht Race which encountered winds of 60 knots in Bass Strait. These and many other severe weather events we've been through certainly help in the preparation for our current situation. We chose the only blow off berth in the Port Lucaya Marina that Vanish could fit into and she has not even touched a fender nor sustained any damage.
Cloud 9, Cuban 'A' and Vanish are all doing well although all of us are on high alert and feeling a tad sleepy. The whole area is deserted but we will try to walk over to the beach shortly to see what's happening and send more pictures if possible. It is a relief to be tied up in the marina and not battling the seas or on anchor watch. We do hope everyone fairs well in this event.
Ps Marina Internet and power just came back on. Woo-hoo.