The things he'll do to get out of the washing up.....

Some ramblings from last night's 'midnight adventures' in Spanish Water......

Normal service again today....

So it’s 11pm and I’m alone in charge of Askari - Andrew’s been gone since 9.30pm when the wind dropped enough after the storm to go and help the other boats.....

Two boats broke moorings and 4 or 5 dragged anchor tonight when a storm cell past over us in Spanish water, Curacao. We saw 38knots of wind from the south when all boats are anchored into prevailing east winds.

The boat next to us, a Bavaria, wedged itself in the front of a catamaran, the boat behind us ended up moored to the shore....(that’s where andrew is now securing that 60ft boat so it doesn’t drift back out into the anchorage when the wind changes).

We had the air con on and we’re enjoying a lovely New Zealand pinot noir with a movie when we heard the noise of the rigging all around us. Spanish water is always so calm and protected; so when Andrew popped his head out and found 30 plus knots blowing it was all a bit of a shock. He quickly grabbed off our sun covers while I started the engine and turned our nav lights on. We have an app the records our position on anchor. He grabbed that and a torch and we watched in horror as boats so near to us, left unattended, drifted, as we just pleaded for our rocna to hold tight. Then the radio started as other boats called to alert more danger. I didn't take my eyes off that anchor app for half an hour, calling out the distances

Andrew went to assist in moving the Bavaria with another dinghy. All I could see was lashing rain and the alarm on our hand held vhf going off - it doesn’t like being wet. Then eventually the boat moved away from the cat and alongside Calabuig. Next up the 60 footer on the shore... Andrew checked its long heavy mooring and found no end but we were then worried it could drift back out and collide with Askari or other yachts. Andrew asked me to report to the coastguard - I called in VhF 16 and followed up by phone 913 (they never attended). 

Meanwhile a french aluminium yacht was also aground so Andrew and ‘the dinghies’ went to assist getting him free. The coast guard is also calling ships on the vhf. I think I’ll put the air con back on and enjoy the rest of that Pinot noir 

Oh maybe some chocolate too