Alliteration, from 'my fair lady' would be apt if not so untrue. Hurricanes do happen, and last year during September 2019 the poor island within the Bahamas got a record 48 constant hours of un-imaginable wind strength.
This years (2020) prediction is higher than average. In the British Virgin Islands after hurricane Irma visited Cat 5+, followed by Gomez (not publicized due to not hitting land, Cat 5) followed by Maria Cat 5, which did hit but 'washed' past us, we have now probably a little more respect for the weather than most; a humility brought from experience but with a greater understanding of what can and can not be achieved to protect against a monster.
From a mariner's perspective, being prepared for adverse conditions always brings forth the question of where to shelter. Preparing the boat for a hurricane will be covered in another blog.
Statistically the BVI had a great track record, 18 years had passed without trouble only to succumb to one of the largest hits of all time with devastation unseen in the boating community.
The cost to the insurance companies, the economy, the people of the island and the tourist industry was just not measurable at that time. We know now though it ran to the multiple in the millions.
One odd thing came from it, rather than dwell in devastation the marine industry stood straight back up, and within three short months there where tourists and vessels back on the water. The demand for marine surveyors, fireglass repairs, riggers and yard space was huge. Certain companies drafted in men by the hundred to cope with repair demands. The island today still sports some scars but a remarkable transformation in a record time was achieved. The current world status has again crippled the marine industry here and across the Caribbean, the COVID pandemic. This is a different scenario. Now on the road to recovery we again grind to a halt with no work but plenty of boats, and if choices had to be made, I think facing a hurricane is more managable on many scales.
Lessons learned
This, of course, is only an opinion from an average man with a little boating knowledge who indeed lost his own vessel, alas, with no insurance. Hindsight is a wonderful word iff derived from its actions or events circumstances that could be altered in the future shall be.
So here are some things that might just help.
1. Have a plan.
Choose where to lay up early as spots fill fast here and around the caribbean, especially as the season has ground to a halt courtesy of COVID. You may need an insurance survey or a rig survey before hand or both to apease the yard.
If there are alternatives to run to, another island for example (because you are afloat), run, run, and run. Live to fight another day.
24 hours of sailing will put enough distance between you and any predicted storm. Continue heading south will eventually take you out of the known hurricane belt.
2. Have another plan.
Having decided to lay up the vessel why ignore your rigging?
99% of the vessels lost their rig during hurricane Irma. De-mast and plan it in to your maintenance schedule. A little extra hole in the budget but it helps knowing you will still have a mast to come back to, serviced, and good to go.
Remember rigs should be inspected every five years as the norm, but rarely are.
Your insurance company will thank you in the long run, and so will you.
3. Paper work.
Irony is a horrible word to swallow.
My paperwork had lapsed for my insurance, and guess what, I needed a surveyor to complete it! So you face a Cat 5 storm without insurance and the guaranteed end result is you lose everything.
Get insurance! Get a survey if required in plentiful time prior to the hurricane season!
Protect your investment.
As always I hope for the best but plan for the worst. Some one will meet one of the following names this year, but if you have made a plan, got your insurance and crossed your fingers, you will be fine.
Ultimately - be safe - keep safe - wash your hands!
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