Grande and Petite Anse d'Arlet

Timeless
Fri 7 Feb 2014 19:23
February 7th to 11th, 2014
Grande Anse d'Arlet
Position: 14:30.35N 61:05.47W

We have just have a super few days at Grande Anse d'Arlet. We expected to anchor in the bay but instead we found the bay covered in mooring buoys. It seems that the EU had given the local town a grant to place these mooring buoys and thereby save the precious ocean floor from too much devastation. Martinique is of course part of France and France is in the EU. The Euro is the standard currency here too. The mooring buoys are very strong.

There are basically two small bays with just the very basics of a few bars, restaurants and ..well thats it.
These are very popular bays for the locals over the weekend.
Very laid back, very friendly and a great atmosphere over Sunday lunch.

Oh! ..and a pirate ship came and anchored the night in the bay. They had the ship completely light up from bow to stern all night. I know because I kept getting up to check the mooring lines every few hours last night

This is the first time we have moored with a mooring buoy and I think we have a problem.
Whilst the mooring line is under pressure then all is well but as soon as the wind dies and the boat does a little walk about around the mooring line the mooring line gets caught up with the anchor. Then, when the wind gets up again the boat pulls the mooring line against the rough anchor and voila! - a Chaffed mooring line that gets cut in half!
This actually happened whilst we were off visiting Petite Anse d'Arlet on foot.
When we came back we found the mooring line in two pieces! Luckily I'm into belt and braces conservatism and so our back up line was still holding well - but the same thing would have happened to it too given another few hours.
I'm now trying to figure out how to solve this problem. I did think about lifting the anchor right out of the way but it weighs 55kg! Not the best thing to be lifting whilst precariously hanging off the bow!

Currently the anchor warp exits the boat via the anchor rollers at the very front of the boat. I thought why not try the bow cleats instead but all that happens is the line now rubs against the gelcoat of the hull by the bow. This has to be a standard Discovery 55 problem so I'll start the investigation with other Discovery owners and Discovery themselves.

Meanwhile I have another reason NOT to leave the boat when it is NOT snugly berthed in a marina.
1. Theft of boats at anchor overnight and when the crew are not in residence.
2. The boat anchor might drag. (I have an oversized anchor but still..)
3. Chaffing of the mooring line against the rough anchor when it gets wrapped around the anchor.

Boats and boats everywhere in this bay!

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These bays are just like you see in the brochures. White sand, palm trees and the odd bar to hang out at as long as you don't wear sandals!

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Petite Anse d'Arlet is just quick walk around the corner. It too is very rustic!

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hmmm.. Two pirate ships?

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