Tsunami-Information Wanted on Alkira II

[Deleted User YDKXO]

My stepdaughter and boyfriend are sailing their boat called Alkira II back to the UK from Australia at the moment. They have been moored in Phuket, Thailand over Christmas and we have received a report that they put to sea today when the tsunami hit
Alkira II is a 38' blue hulled sloop constructed of steel with a wooden mast
If anyone has any information on this boat, please PM me or phone +44 1494 794990
Mike Finch

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Mike,

I am sure I talk for many in saying that our thoughts are with you, and all others who are seeking information about loved ones.

I hope you hear something sooner, rather than later.

 

[Davy_S]

This may not help much, we have family in Phucket (bussiness owners). All contact by phone, fax and e-mail has failed. We can only presume that all lines are down at the moment.

 

[StephenSails]

Hi Mike,

I am sorry to hear of your concerns and hope they are not in any trouble, if they put to sea with a few hours ahead of the Tsunami they may have found themselves in deep enough water for it to not have caused any major issues. Do you know if they have an EPIRB on board as this presumably would be activated if they got in to trouble?

 

[Talbot]

Very deep water is close to the east of Phuket (less than 40 miles), so if they made it there they should be fine. Our hopes and prayers are with you - please let us know when you have more data.

 

[Forbsie]

All our thoughts are with you and your family, Mike. I contacted some friends at 7am who are in NW Langkawi which is not far south of Phuket. They only have slight flooding there. I'm definitely no expert but I would have thought that if they were coming west from Phuket, they would have been coming into the epicentre to the north of Lhok Suemawe, which I would have thought would be the safest place to be in these circumstances.

 

[johna]

Mike

Just to say we are thinking of you and hope the news is all good.

John

 

[Rowana]

Mike,
All I can say is that our thoughts are with you and your loved ones at this difficult time. Please let us know when you have more news.
Jim

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Good News

We've just received confirmed news that they are safe, thank God. They were anchored off Phuket when the tsunami hit and had the good sense to head out for deeper water after the first surge. Presently, they are sailing south to find a safer harbour
Many thanks for all your replies and good wishes

 

[wishbone]

Re: Good News

Great news! and my sincere thoughts are with other travelvers and local people, who will be left to mop up when the tourist's leave!

Let's hope they get plenty of support!

 

[lyc]

Re: Good News

Great news Mike, my son & his girlfriend left Koh phi phi for Sydney 2 days ago but left many friends on the Islands.

 

[Ships_Cat]

Re: Good News

I hope our friends were able to do the same Mike - they are, as best we know, still in Langkawi south of Phuket (they were planning to set out across Indian Ocean from there late Dec to mid Jan). There are fishing boats and yachts up on the roads in both Langkawi and Phuket as best I can see from the photos starting to appear.

He is an oceanographer so maybe saw the signs and was able to get out before the big surge.

John

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Re: Good News

Good news indeed, I am very glad for them and you.

Mike, when they are settled down a bit, would you ask if they could add a short write up on here either through you or logging in. Learning from experience and all that. I have no comprehension of tackling monster waves in a small boat and would love to read how they coped, how far they dared go, how deep, how big etc etc.

Obviously if they they want to of course.

 

[Rowana]

Re: Good News

Good news indeed! Glad to hear that they're safe and well.

Our thoughts and prayers still go out to all those not so lucky. TV this morning has 16000 dead, and rising.

 

[snowleopard]

Re: Good News

i second that. i had imagined a sudden huge breaking wave would suddenly appear off the beach giving just seconds warning. i have read an account by a tourist who said that a tuk tuk driver told him the water was coming and took him to higher ground where thousands of others were sheltering. so what actually happens with a tsunami?

i have read that in the open ocean the wave is as little as 1/2" high but travels at 400 mph. the speed with which it hit coasts around the ocean certainly makes that sort of speed seem realistic.

 

[jimi]

Re: From the BBC

 

[Talbot]

Re: Good News

Thank you for letting us know. The relief must be enormous.

The size of this disaster beggars belief. I have yet to hear any action from our government in forwarding relief especially to fellow commonwealth members!

 

[oldharry]

Re: Major Government relief action announced this AM (monday)

They proudly announced this morning they have sent ..

....TWO PEOPLE out to help....

For Gods sake....

... oh and they have made a 'contribution' to some rescue fund ... 10p in the OXfam box?

 

[Davy_S]

Thats great news Mike!.
We have just heard from our relatives,they were fished out of the water and are in hospital. (cuts and bruises and a fracture but nothing serious) Their house is still standing but it looks like the bar/restaraunt has gone. Thoughts now to those less fortunate.

 

[hlb]

Re: Major Government relief action announced this AM (monday)

Well there all to busy fighting all the Arabs to get involved with this!!