OK, so it’s now 0300ET and the wind has gone through 50kts, the noise is just incredible, like a jet aircraft at full thrust. I have been out on deck and re attached the tender to one of the stern cleats as it was tugging too hard on the deck fitting, but the tandem anchors are holding fine and we are not snatching on our snubbing line. Wished I’d left the tender on the davits because of the snatching on the cleat, but we wanted to reduce windage and have an escape route if a freighter comes sideways at us down the river, so at first light if the wind drops below 30kts, I might try and hoist it – but it’s probably a bit too dangerous.

 

Just made us a cup of tea, pity it’s raining cos Suzanne got the most stunning Star App for her I-Pod and we both wanted to sit out and work out which one was Uranus, anyway there is always another night – we hope.

 

It’s going to be along 24 hours before we see the hurricane out

 

More from CNN on Twitter

 

@cnnbrk 2 a.m. advisory:  #Irene has sustained winds of 80 mph and gusts of 100 mph, located 15 miles S-SE of Ocean City, Md.

@cnnbrk Broad Channel Bridge, Cross Bay Bridge, Marine Parkway Bridge in Long Island have been shut down

@cnnbrk Staten Island Ferry Service has been suspended

@cnnbrk Authorities no longer sending vehicles to respond to 911 calls in Ocean City, Maryland, because of high winds