Hunkering down with Maria on St. Croix

[NotCook]

Ok, so we've done everything we can do to secure the vessel on St. Croix for whatever Maria brings. We have it in a marina, with 19 lines to the dock and pilings, including two with chains around the pilings below the dock (to prevent chafing from the barnacles) in case some of the others tear cleats out of the concrete dock. In addition, we have both bow anchors deployed out across the fairway. We've tried our best to allow for the forecasted surge of 6-10 feet.

All the other usual precautions on deck. Down below, we have all the watertight doors locked down. We removed the ships oapers and our logbook, and all our tools. Basically, we are prepared for the possibility that our marina will face the same fate as those on the BVIs, St. Martin, Dt Thomas and others as the result of Irma.

The rain is coming down in bucketsfull, and the winds are now in the 70s range. The worst , whatever it may be, is due in the. Ext several hours.

Aside from the possibility of losing the boat, our biggest concern is for the aftermath. What will St. Croix be like tomorrow afternoon? What will the impact be on the other islands, which already faced devastation from Irma and to which aid had been flowing from and thru St. Croix?

It's going to be a long night.

 

[SG]

Good luck...

 

[LakeShark]

Praying for you! You have done all you can for the boat. Find a safe place for yourself and those with you. This is in the Lord's hands now.

 

[BlowMeAway]

Best of Luck brother. God be with you! Our prayers include your and family safety! Feedback as often as possible.

 

[justsomeguy]

Best of luck.

 

[jviss]

Good luck, and stay safe.

 

[Southpaw]

Sounds like you did the best you could do for the boat. Hope for the best for you . Stay safe and good luck.

 

[Southpaw]

From what it looks like on the web cam it looks like it's getting pretty bad good luck

 

[Benny17441]

Seems you have prepared well, let's hope those around you have too. I believe preparation accounts for 90% of good luck. wish you the best for the other 10%. Had some experience on a previous hurricane in St. Croix, it was nowhere near the strength of Maria but the aftermath was not pretty. All civil services collapsed, no police and no first responders and there were bands of looters and marauders taking over the streets. It was not until word got out by boat that the US Navy showed up from their base in Roosevelt Roads, PR (now closed) to at least restore law and order and deliver much needed supplies. Stay off the streets and be safe.

 

[JRacer]

Praying for you! You have done all you can for the boat. Find a safe place for yourself and those with you. This is in the Lord's hands now.

Ditto from here. Protect your self. The material items are replaceable. God Bless you all down there.

 

[jssailem]

Be safe Brian.

 

[kappykaplan]

Good luck.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Praying for you all.

 

[capta]

Well, I guess you've been through the worst of it by now and I hope all is well. If the boat is OK I'd head to PR as StX has a history of looting and violence after storms. Good luck.

 

[Bob S]

Praying for everyone down there

 

[pateco]

Any word from down there?

 

[ggrizzard]

Haven't heard any reports yet on the news from St. Croix.
Bummer.

 

[capta]

I'm worried that not cook has not come up to give us a report. I wish him and his lovely boat well.

 

[justsomeguy]

I have a feeling he'll pop up very soon.

 

[NotCook]

UPDATE 9/21/17

Maria was a Cat 5 hurricane when the eye wall crossed the western tip of St. Croix. My understanding is that the western part of the island suffered severe damage. I spoke with a fellow sailor, Bob, who said their house on the southwest beach was "gone". I ran into him while surveying the damage at Green Cay Marina where both our boats were docked for the storm season.


The marina came through the storm in relatively good shape. At least two boats are sunk, and many suffered varying degrees if damage. One ketch lost its main mast. Several concrete finger piers were gone, and several pilings were down. Most damage was the result of boats scraping against the corner of the finger pier. Many cleats literally broke off from the concrete docks - as opposed to pulling out or breaking the concrete as I had feared.


One such cleat, one holding us away from our finger pier, broke off and allowed us to rub against the pier on our stbd side. The boat next to us broke its single old port stern line and was banging agains our port side, doing considerable damage to his gel coat and rubrail, lightly scuffing our finish, and bending a steel ladder rung below the waterline. Aside from a damp mattress in our aft cabin, we came through otherwise unscathed.


The home where we stayed with friends was I damaged, though there was extensive damage to trees and of course power lines. In the short drive from there to the marina, around downed tries and utility poles and wires, I saw at least three homes with missing or partially damaged roofs.


There is no power or internet, and cell service is sporadic at best. Sometimes I am able to get a signal standing in the middle of a nearby open field. I find that I can sometimes receive texts, but for whatever reason I cannot send them. I am typing this out in advance to copy and past to my post. Don't know if it will send it not. If this posts, it is a fluke!


Our thanks to all for the well wishes, support and prayers. Between Irma and Maria, St. Croix was very fortunate!