KICK ‘EM JENNY

     It is clearly marked on the charts as an EXCLUSION ZONE.  Furthermore, the danger of entering the area is well described in cruising guides. Should a vessel pass over Kick ‘em Jenny as an eruption occurs it would instantly sink due to the massive air bubbles rising to the surface of the sea.  A First Mate should not have to beg the Captain to steer clear of Kick ‘em Jenny.

What is Kick 'em Jenny? (Source: http://www.uwiseismic.com/General.aspx?id=27)

Kick 'em Jenny is a submarine volcano located 8km north of Grenada. The volcano is about 1300m high, and its summit is currently thought to be about 180m below the surface of the sea. As far as we know, Kick 'em Jenny is the only 'live' (likely to erupt again) submarine volcano in the Eastern Caribbean. It is also the most frequently active volcano in the region, erupting at least 12 times since it was discovered in 1939. The last eruption of Kick 'em Jenny occurred in December 2001. For details of that eruption go to news archives. The volcano is currently at Alert Level YELLOW and there is 1.5km exclusion zone around the volcano.

Kick 'em Jenny is also a modern day demonstration of how the volcanic islands in this region were formed. With each submarine eruption deposits of volcanic material accumulate around the summit. All of the volcanic islands of the Lesser Antilles began as submarine volcanoes. 

     We have sailed along the lee of the Caribbean Island chain twice while on route to Grenada, passing Kick ‘em Jenny closely.  The first time was uneventful, but the second will forever be committed to my memory.

     Last summer the Captain installed a new plot charter-radar system in the cockpit so we could have all the information at our fingertips. (Before that, our only chart plotter was down below at the nav table.)  Our new plot charter is a tremendous help, but it can also scare the livin’ daylights out of a First Mate. 

     My eyes were fixed on the screen as Exit Strategy glided effortlessly toward the exclusion zone.  I alerted the Captain and he adjusted the course on the autopilot. I breathed a sigh of relief. Then the wind began to whip up erratically, forcing the bow to head back toward the exclusion zone. The Captain adjusted our course again.  I thanked him, but soon stiffer blows pulled us back into the danger zone.  Finally, the vessel was taken off autopilot and the Captain’s strong arms on the wheel and the grace of God safely guided us beyond Kick ‘em Jenny. 

Depth to Summit Measurements:

    DATE                 SHIP                      DEPTH

1962 October       HMS Vidal                  232m
1966 June           HMS Lynx                   192m
1972 May           HMS Hecla                   190m
1976 May           R/V Gillis                      190m
1978 April          R/V Endeavor               160m
1981 October      N.O. Noroit                   160m
1985 April          R/V Conrad                   160m
1989 April          Submersible                 150m
1997 May           R/Malcolm Baldridge    177m

(December 2001 last eruption)

2003  May          Submersible                  180m