Safe Hurricane Holes in the Caribbean

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CharlesM

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Hello All

Following up on the Anchor deployment for a Hurricane post, it seems the consensus is to wedge the boat in in mangroves.

Can anyone either supply a list of or point me to a source for such holes between (and including) St. Martin in the north, and Trinidad in the south.

I dont, for example, consider Simpson Bay lagoon in St Martin as much of a hurricane hole as one would be at the mercy of the boats dragging around even if your own anchors held - and there are stories of a huge dredger dragging around, taking out boats that were otherwise OK /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif .

Suggestions / pointers etc happily accepted.

Cheers
Charles
 
I don't think anywhere can be regarded as completely safe.
Most cautious skippers head down to Trinidad or Venezuala.
Grenada used to be considered safe!
 
As you clear customs into the US Virgin Islands they issue you with an excellent booklet describing a number of techniques to minimise damage and loss in the event of a hurricane (at least they did a couple of years ago)


Some of these can be found at this site. I have a copy of the full booklet at home. I'll take a look this evening to see if there's a download reference.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I dont, for example, consider Simpson Bay lagoon in St Martin as much of a hurricane hole as one would be at the mercy of the boats dragging around even if your own anchors held - and there are stories of a huge dredger dragging around, taking out boats that were otherwise OK /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif .


[/ QUOTE ]

Hurricane Luis went over St Martin

Luis.JPG


and of some 1800 boats in the lagoon abpout 90 were left on their anchors. The rest were on the bottom or on the beach.

Mine was one of the few still afloat and anchored but we took $20,000 US damage from other boats hitting us!

luis_marilyn_cap.gif
 
Having chartered in the Caribbean the best source of information is the Charter company's offices on the various islands. They have good experience of keeping their boats protected.
 
Charles,
You don't want mess with hurricanes in the Leewards and Windwards in my opinion; too many boats and too few safe holes. I'd be in Venezuela or Trinidad, if possible, where hurricanes are rare, or on the south coast of Puerto Rico where there are at least a few good holes.
 
Hi John

The plan is to move the boat from St. Martin down to Trinidad where we will leave her over the Hurricane season. Unfortunately events have conspired to delay our departure to the Caribbean (an hence our departure from St. Martin) so we may still be en-rout in early June. Also, the weather does not take into account the calander. - last year there was a hurricane moving the wrong way in April already!!

So - yes w2e wanna get the hell out of there, but I am trying to get a backup in place should the fit hit the shan.

Cheers
Charles
 
Hmmm, Marigot bay in St. Lucia is often considered as a Hurricane Hole, as its very protected and has Mangroves on 2 sides, but it is very small, so will quickly fill up.

There is one on the South side of St. Vincent, believe its called Blue Lagoon. But ditto Marigot Bay, and its a Charter base too, so you will have to fight for space.

Not sure about the rest of the Grenadines, you possible (and I repeat possibly) could consider Clifton Harbour in Union, if you had no other choice at all ands its an emergency, though others may well disagree.

Ivan, and then this awful season just gone, has changed all the rules, and frighteningly, you may have to plan along the lies of not if a Hurricane comes your way, but more likely when.

IMHO, go hell for leather for Trinidad, more and more boats in the Carib every year, mean less and less space at any holes...
 
Yes, that was a weird hurricane season with those odd out of season apparitions. Still, the main threat is September to November and that is when I would want to be out of the area or near good soft sided hurricane holes. You have to view getting caught in one of those out of season hurricanes the same way you view a car crash: An unpredictable accident. If you didn't you'd never sail in the tropics!
 
look up Chris Doyle's pilot books on the Carib. Available from Amazon. He will give all the safest anchorages for weather conditions.
 
Luperon, Dominican Rep. A mate has kept his boat there for last 4-5 years tied to mangroves when he returns every year for our summer. They are building a new marina there as we speak
 
Well, Blue Lagoon is very small and bounded by rocks - as well as being open to the ocean, so with any swell I'd be worried.

Clifton Harbour doesn't feel right to me with coral everywhere, gusty due to high hills and relatively shallow but if the holding worked??

The closest to a hurricane hole in the Grenadines (IMH (and limited) O)
would be Tyrell Bay in Cariacou which has a mangrove swamp to on one side which dozens of boats could tuck into - although extricating yourself from the soft mud and roots afterwards might be interesting. Like anywhere, you'd have to be there early.
 
Hi All

These are very informative. So I think I will try Ram the boat hard into mangroves, deploy all of my 4 (by then) anchors and ALL the rope I have and as John Morris pointed out, retire to a Hotel.

May be a nightmare getting the boat off the trees afterwards if the swell lifts it though... but that would be better than loosing the boat.

Cheers
Charles
 
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