HURRICANE OMAR

Hurricane Omar passed 50 miles to the west of Anguilla at 3:00 AM on Thursday, October 16th.  Winds in Anguilla were clocked at 70 mph but the storm surge from the south and west caused serious beach erosion, and the swells washed over 15 boats ashore.  One of those boats was mine - a Hunter 34, "Juluca".  The swells (reported to be 20 feet plus) broke 2 - 1" lines attached to my mooring, a 1" line attached to my Fortress anchor, and another 1' line attached to a CQR. Following is the way it was re-launched from the beach.

Some of the 11 boats washed up in Road Bay - shot 4 hours after passage.

Up on the beach - shot 4 hours after passage.

View of the entire launch operation.

Crane at the extent of it's reach - only 3 feet of water (need 6 feet).

Attempting to tow off - no luck.

Crane lifting just by the keel to drag to deeper water.  Managed to get it to 4 feet of water.

Final try - boat pulling down on mast, 2 guys hanging on boom, jib sail out, motor going full rpm in about 4 feet of water.

Finally afloat. 

With the beaching, pounding by the surf and re-launch with the crane, "Juluca" suffered no damage at all!  Only thing I could find was a 1 inch crack in the internal rib where the keel is attached.  I will probably never realize how lucky I was.