Hurricane Dean
Chaser 2
Yvonne Chapman
Sun 19 Aug 2007 23:54
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During the past week we've been watching the progress
of a low pressure system that developed off the west coast of Africa. This one
did turn into a tropical depression, and as it made its way across the Atlantic
became a Tropical storm then a Cat 1 Hurricane. By the time it reached the
Caribbean Island chain it was a Cat 3 hurricane with winds up to 150 mph. We
have always maintained that we shall try to avoid any area where this activity
is likely to developed, that's why we are here in Venezuela or at least nearby.
Here in Juan Griego, a small fishing town on Isla Margarita, the anchorage is
open only to the west, nevertheless this super calm spot transformed into quite
a lumpy sea. OK it wasn't life threatening or rough as far as rough goes, but
bearing in mind we are in a protected anchorage 240 miles south of the eye of
the Hurricane it made its strength felt. The wooden fishing boats all moved
from there normal docks to be at anchor, its safer that way, they did roll
around an awful lot. Apart though from a swell and some waves we had no
problems, a couple of boats did anchor too close to us with little chain out,
nationality withheld, but we all know who they are don't we. Again it is a large
anchorage and knowing that a severe weather system is coming through precautions
need to be taken, one being to have far more anchor chain out than one would
normally. This then means that as the storm passes and wind changes direction we
end up on top of the boats that anchored close by. As a result we had to
move our anchor after a little swearing under my breath at these people, (
excuse my French).
This night was very rolly as the storm gained in
strength to category 4 but it did give a nice sunset with so much lightning in
the distance, still having little effect on us but we have since heard that
Martinique and St Lucia have been severely damaged. The hurricane is currently
on course for Jamaica, warnings have been issued.
Everything is calming down today and we have only a
little swell in the anchorage. This was the first hurricane this season, but it
does show that you can't be too careful and best to put yourself more than 200
miles away from it. We're probably leaving here Tuesday for the Island of
Blanquilla, a small almost deserted Island northwest of Margarita, we hope to do
some swimming and snorkeling there before returning back here to clear out prior
to moving on to Puerto de la Cruz.
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