Thunder storms

[Denek]

So we are starting a bit of a cruise on Sunday along the east coast heading south from levington and I see for Tuesday onwards thunder storms are forecast just wondered what if any precautionary measures you take. We were on board during a really violent storm last year on our mooring and it was horrendous. I am sure if we were at anchor I would be a bit Concerned The anchor would drag.

 

[DavidofMersea]

So we are starting a bit of a cruise on Sunday along the east coast heading south from levington and I see for Tuesday onwards thunder storms are forecast just wondered what if any precautionary measures you take. We were on board during a really violent storm last year on our mooring and it was horrendous. I am sure if we were at anchor I would be a bit Concerned The anchor would drag.

Go up the Colne and/or Blackwater, both are quite sheltered

 

[johnalison]

There appear to be two kinds of thunderstorm, those with strong winds and those without. I don't know what the forthcoming ones will be or how to tell the difference in advance. Years ago we we anchored at Osea when a forecast came on the VHF for storms with 60knot winds imminent. The tide had dropped too much to return to Maylandsea creek, and moving down the Mersea was unappealng, so we stuck it out. A couple of hours later a black cloud appeared and I saw a black wind come across the water and hit us. My hand-held meter went up to mid 30s, and then it started raining and blew twic as hard. Out anchor held and a couple of hours later all was quiet. ^0 knots were recorded at Mersea.

I have been moored or in harbour during many storms and the only consolation I could draw on was the number of other craft around and the hope that Lady ill-fortune would choose them instead of me. Portable electrics in the cooker is the only precaution I know that is worthwhile.

 

[LittleSister]

I see no strong winds forecast for Tuesday-ish, despite the warnings of thunderstorms. The (land orientated) warnings talk only about heavy rainfall/flooding/hail and lightning strikes.

If there are strong winds forecast I'd try to be either tied up in a well-sheltered harbour, or at anchor somewhere with just mud around (so that the worst that happens if you drag is you go aground without damage).

I did once find myself motoring through a thunderstorm with lots of lightning flashes coming down to the sea all around. Rather nerve-wracking, but there wasn't really anything I could do but hope for the best. I can't remember whether I put the mobile phone, and handheld VHF and compass in the cooker.

I suppose that one could put a few rashers of bacon and slices of bread on the cabin top, in the hope that if you did get struck by lightning, and lived to tell the tale, at least you'd get a hot snack out of it.

 

[johnalison]

I know one or two people whose boats have been hit, but the risk to any one boat must be pretty small. It's a while since we had a proper thunderstorm. It's a spectacle I rather enjoy.

 

[Denek]

The last time we were aboard for a storm was last year on our mooring at SYH. I blew really hard and rained really heavily and I was told afterwards that a boat on the opposite side of the river was struck but as far as I am aware there was no damage. the Wind heeled the boat over like we were under way And there were so many lightning flashes. We will be at anchor in Pyfleet channel all being well on Monday night and if we can get a berth possibly in Burnham on crouch marina on Tuesday and Wednesday. I think after that the storms will have passed.

 

[Slowboat35]

I suppose that one could put a few rashers of bacon and slices of bread on the cabin top, in the hope that if you did get struck by lightning, and lived to tell the tale, at least you'd get a hot snack out of it.

By far the most sensible and realistic suggestion of the lot, unless you really needed to be reminded to dig in the anchor... surely you do that anyway...?

Never though a potential thundestorm presented a threat that required special advice beyond what basic seamanship and common sense automatically suggested...

Still, better to be securely anchored before it arrives rather than trying to anchor anywhere near a shore either in it or as it arrives.

 

[Denek]

You may be right but the night I spent on our mooring was very violent. We were tossed around badly. I guess there is not much more you can do other than make sure the anchor is well dug in ( as you say you would do this anyway ) batten down the hatches and make sure everything is well lashed Down. You can’t be sure of avoiding a lee shore as we swung 360 degrees in an hour due to wind shifts not tide. Hey ho! We will see how it goes. might miss any storms, you never know.