FIRST CLOSE CALL

      We were having a splendid time socializing with the cruisers and boozers in and around Honeymoon Beach, Water Island-USVI when the weather approaching off of the African coast turned ugly.  Twenty-four hours passed and the outlook got worse, ominous actually, which resulted in the thickening of the camaraderie and imbibing.  Everyone made plans to high tail their boat to a safer location.  Some friends with shallow drafts went to the nearby pond at Flamingo Bay, others headed for the mangroves around Culebra or Vieques to tie up and hunker down. We headed for the docks at Nanny Cay on Tortola, BVI where we had previously arranged with Horizon Charter to secure Exit Strategy under their tutelage and to satisfy our vessel's insurance policy demands.
       Today the boat looks a little naked.  Any item on deck that may blow loose or create lift during a strong blow has been removed or tied down. For the time being, the cockpit bimini has been left up to provide shelter from the still sunny skies.  It will be removed quickly when absolutely necessary. 
      To make things more nerve racking for me personally, is the fact that I have had a flight booked to go home leaving out of St. Thomas for a few weeks. That’s why we were hanging around Honeymoon Bay in the first place. (Well, that and the fun people.) My flight is tomorrow…when the worst of the storm is supposed to hit this area of the Lesser Antilles.  IF the airport is still open, I’ll have to taxi to the ferry  (IF the ferry is still operating) that will take me to St. Thomas and then taxi to the airport.
      My departure at this time leaves me with mixed feelings. The boat is somewhat dismantled, although it can still motor easily away from the dock should the Captain decide to go elsewhere. But all the things we took off the deck are loosely stowed in the aft cabins and the wind generator is currently tentatively balanced on one cushion of the settee in the salon. So the motion of the vessel may create shifting that could damage things...expensive things.

    Wait a minute- the meteorologist on the radio just predicted that Emily will only be a “minimal tropical storm.”  YES! Our prayers are answered!