Did you know - Once upon a time, a famous beard was auctioned for $20,000- to round up the funds for the first decompression chamber in Fiji?
Some thoughts for you to consider in your PREPARATION for Cyclone season starting officially in November and lasting until the end of April in the Southwest Pacific.
Point 1;- Watch the weather forecasts more closely especially to the NW around the Solomon Islands, look for Lows monitor there paths , their strengths, their speed, some times you only get 3 days warning!!
Point 2;- Where are you planning to anchor or moor for the expected Cyclone? If anchoring how many anchors are you expecting to deploy ? have you checked to ensure your gear is still servicable . If on a mooring has your mooring been
recently checked for the Cyclone season?
Point 3; General points for your yacht;-
a] Remove Headsail from furler.
b] Tie your mainsail securely to the boom.
c] Remove all awnings.
d] Remove all loose on deck items
e] Ensure your lines to mooring have chafe gear fitted, do not run lines through Thimble but use a Knot < bowlin>
f] Ensure you have fuel and provisions for 7 days .
g] You need an anchor light lower than normal just above boom height.
Point 4;-Your Dinghy/s;-What are you going to do with your Dinghy? Tie securely on deck? davits are risky! Do not leave in water behind yacht; Take ashore and tie down –not under any trees
Point 5-Communications; Ensure your ships VHF is working, Plus batteries for your handheld, that your cell phone has spare recharges and that you have the numbers of all your immediate moored /anchored area fellow Yachts people/crews; numbers of the Marina's, and Police Station. Ensure you have spare torch/flashlight batteries and a second torch /flashlight on hand if possible.
Point 6;- Unmanned Vessels next to you;- Has the vessel next to you been prepared for a Tropical Cyclone? If you consider the vessel is not prepared request in writing to the Marina OR if Anchored OR if on a private mooring request to the vessel owner to advise you what plans he /she has in regards to preparing for a tropical cyclone. Should you be not satisfied contact MSAF their office is near the main wharf entrance, follow up your discussions with MSAF with an email to MSAF. It is advisable to action this point NOW as it may take you some time to make contact or indeed get any action !!!
Point 7 During Cyclone;- Every vessel should have a constant Watch reporting on VHF 16 Cruisers Net Control-Curly [ or Cell phone 868 0878] any problems they have or concerns re other Vessels.it is hoped that the MSAF Channel Markers and their lights will survive a Tropical Cyclone, due to terrible Visibility during a cyclone there has always been a need for marker lights to assist Vessels to monitor their Position; Regular Weather Updates will be provided by Net Control(Curly); I am looking for any Cruiser who has Winlink-Sailmail to assist in back-up weather-please respond to Curly. There is a need to Identify a Rescue boat and crew who could be on standby( in the past years I (Curly) has done this but I no longer have the big inflatable-Volunteers??
Point 8 ;- WILL YOU STAY ON BOARD ???? OR GO ASHORE?? DURING THE CYCLONE;-This is a decision only you can make !
Overall the many years I have been in Fiji the only time I went ashore my yacht was washed onto the beach [moderate damage] and I firmly believed I could have avoided the grounding if I had been on board, since then I have always stayed on board and on 7 occassions I believe being on board did make the difference in avoiding damage to my vessel during the cyclone.
Overall the many years I have been in Fiji the only time I went ashore my yacht was washed onto the beach [moderate damage] and I firmly believed I could have avoided the grounding if I had been on board, since then I have always stayed on board and on 7 occassions I believe being on board did make the difference in avoiding damage to my vessel during the cyclone.
IN CONCLUSION;- It is the small prep tasks that cause you major problems during a Cyclone.perhaps you should format your own Tropical Cyclone preparation list ???? START-NOW ;-))) Action what preparation tasks you can do now , AVOID LAST MINUTE PANIC AS THE TROPICAL CYCLONE APPROACHS…….
Beware mother nature takes no prisoners…
Curly - Apr 2015
