Renegade_Master
Well-Known Member
So I get a call at about 11pm last night from a friend who lives on a boat moored at Pussers Landing the first cafe in Ocean Village Gib where my boat is berthed. Easterly storm with huge gusts in Marina, the "temporary" pantalan "Ocean Palm" is on has also a Squaddie 55 or 60 on the other side to OP. Faithfull John joins me and we get there about 12pm
The wind and subsequent movement of both boats collectively say 40 tons,has already torn off one of the cleats on the cafe pontoon to which the temp pontoon is fixed. The marina staff have resecured this with a chain to a pile.
The other end of the pontoon which had two ropes going down to chains, now has one.
I head off with Eric to the end of the pontoon as we pass the end of the Squaddie (stb side) it is necessary for us to crawl the last section lest we be blown over the side. We manage to pull the slack rope up and with it some chain and retie to the pontoon.
Meanwhile each gust pulls OP a full 3 to 4 feet away from the pontoon straining on her ropes whilst the squaddies full weight in being pinned against the stb side of the pontoon.
Both boats and the pontoon are moving to port by a good three to four feet with each gust.
The staff had earlier taken the squaddies anchor (there was crew aboard) out about 40 feet and dropped it which only helped marginly.
Not happy being out of reach when OP is three feet away, durng a lull I foolishly lash a rope to the centre cleat onto a stb cleat on the pontoon, 10 mins later theres a big bang and the rope rips me centre cleat out of the gel coat. Thats why I say foolish cos it put too much strain on the one rope/cleat as she was being blown away doh.
If the pontoon were to give way both boats and pontoon still tied together, 40 plus tons would be blown at speed across the marina and crash into the moored boats.
And they told me it was secure when I moored there. Having secured more bow and stern ropes, come 1.45 pm we head home, there is nothing more we can do but hope the wind abates.
This morning I talk to Eric,early both boats and pontoon are mercifully still there, then I get updates from Eric, poised as I am to head down there if I have to move her.
The staff moved a little boat which was in front of the Dominator, and pulled OP round so she is now in front of the Dominator, at least she is secured to a "fixed" floating pontoon now.
Never want a night like that again. Yours Clive (now aged 10 more years)
The wind and subsequent movement of both boats collectively say 40 tons,has already torn off one of the cleats on the cafe pontoon to which the temp pontoon is fixed. The marina staff have resecured this with a chain to a pile.
The other end of the pontoon which had two ropes going down to chains, now has one.
I head off with Eric to the end of the pontoon as we pass the end of the Squaddie (stb side) it is necessary for us to crawl the last section lest we be blown over the side. We manage to pull the slack rope up and with it some chain and retie to the pontoon.
Meanwhile each gust pulls OP a full 3 to 4 feet away from the pontoon straining on her ropes whilst the squaddies full weight in being pinned against the stb side of the pontoon.
Both boats and the pontoon are moving to port by a good three to four feet with each gust.
The staff had earlier taken the squaddies anchor (there was crew aboard) out about 40 feet and dropped it which only helped marginly.
Not happy being out of reach when OP is three feet away, durng a lull I foolishly lash a rope to the centre cleat onto a stb cleat on the pontoon, 10 mins later theres a big bang and the rope rips me centre cleat out of the gel coat. Thats why I say foolish cos it put too much strain on the one rope/cleat as she was being blown away doh.
If the pontoon were to give way both boats and pontoon still tied together, 40 plus tons would be blown at speed across the marina and crash into the moored boats.
And they told me it was secure when I moored there. Having secured more bow and stern ropes, come 1.45 pm we head home, there is nothing more we can do but hope the wind abates.
This morning I talk to Eric,early both boats and pontoon are mercifully still there, then I get updates from Eric, poised as I am to head down there if I have to move her.
The staff moved a little boat which was in front of the Dominator, and pulled OP round so she is now in front of the Dominator, at least she is secured to a "fixed" floating pontoon now.
Never want a night like that again. Yours Clive (now aged 10 more years)
