Sea Licious Survives, Mariana Probably A Loss

>Many Boats Damaged as Hurricane Irene Roars Through Broad Creek



Two boats at McCotter's have captured my special interest, and I first want to let reader Julian, owner of SeaLicious, a Pearson 303, get a gander at his rig, which appears below.



Looks great Julian. You are a lucky sailor, since right next to your boat were so many wrecks I couldn't count them. Most of the boats that were in the remaining boathouse were lost or damaged, as you can see below. Pictured below is (I think) Happy Sails, a Columbia 24, and Caroline. Both were damaged, but not sunk. Also, behind Happy Sails is a San Juan 28 which lies buried under tin roofing from the former boathouse. Even further back is Athena, which stands completely upon the dock!



Mariana is a Sam Crocker "Amantha" Class Cutter belonging to Don Justin, who made the difficult journey to see his sailboat. I met him on shore, and ferried him out to his boat, which was inaccessible from shore. She had risen on the amazing 8-10 foot storm surge, and settled down, fatally, on a piling. Only this prevents her from sinking now. She once belonged to G. Gordon Liddy. Don peers into the cabin to retrieve a souvenir, an irreplaceable knife from his Navy service.




Hurricane Irene has probably put an end to this beautiful and historic boat. The loss of a boat is a sad thing, but not knowing could be worse. I hope I have helped to put a few minds to rest.



I have many photos of other boats, most have survived, some have not. I will be happy to provide photos to anyone requesting information. Washington, NC has restored electrical service to many areas, fuel seems to be available, and McCotter's is open. The lift dock is damaged and must be repaired before any boats can be launched, or pulled out to be inspected for damage. The small boat ramp is also blocked by debris. Let me know if I can be of assistance as recovery from Hurricane Irene continues.

Hurricane Irene Slams Marina

McCotter's Marina Damaged by Irene

Another Boathouse Gone

Once again, McCotter's Marina suffers losses, this time from the Category 1 Hurricane Irene. I only have local news reports to go by, and I will confirm this information when Paul and I return to retrieve Piper and Paul's boat from Broad Creek.

This photo seems to show the wreckage at the docks of the marina, east of Washington, NC




A combination of hurricane force gusts and storm surge likely caused this collapse, I doubt anything could have been done.

The storm surge on the western shores of Pamlico Sound was predicted to be massive as this map of risk indicates.


The red areas are in the Neuse River, and the Pamlico River near McCotters is the shaded in brown, indicating nearly as severe a risk of flooding.

With that in mind, Paul's family and I zipped down to McCotters to ensure the safety of their 29 foot Columbia, Delphine. Our strategy was to anchor her out in the creek, where she could ride over the storm surge. At dock, she would likely be damaged by surge and waves and it was too late to have her hauled out. She had been up on stands for the previous two years. Also the flood might float her off of any stands that the staff might set up.

Here she sits on stands in October.



Below, after Hurricane Irene has passed, a boat is stranded blocking the road; this sort of damage is the reason there is currently a curfew in Washington, NC.



In a photo also from the Washington Daily News, boats in slips ride out the storm while the docks are awash.



Finally, from the WDN, from the Washington waterfront is this well-anchored sailboat with a branch, riding safely on the Pamlico River.



With Luck, Delphine is fine, Piper and Paul actually used three anchors to secure her. If no trees or boats ran into the sailboat, then she will be as we left her on Thursday. The eyewall of Irene was around 25 mile from McCotter's Marina, so no one could be confident of complete protection. I'm sure the staff did all they could to protect their property and that of clients. I hate to see property damaged, but the most important thing in a dangerous situation is to protect life and limb, and once again, no lives were lost as McCotter's suffers their continuing bad luck.

Springtime Sailing Preparation

I contacted the former owner of my San Juan 21 (Slick) to get a notarized bill of sale. He quickly returned the needed document, and I easily registered the boat at the local marina. Merritt's Marina is 15 minutes north of Carrboro, conveniently off I-85 and not near any water. Now if I can get my little four-horse Yamaha going...

YouTube - Coast Guard Assists Grounded Sailing Vessel

What can I do to avoid this situation while sailing, you ask? Be sure to avoid leeward shores.Solo sailor rescued off Great Barrier - NZ



Finally, the Loss of Tahiti Belle

Brisbane, Australia : Lost yachts rounded up | Courier Mail

As Brisbane and surrounding areas clean up from the floods of the last week, helpful souls are attempting to return some wayward boats to their owners. The Marine Safety Officer reports in the article below that identifying some of the pontoon docks and dinghies will be difficult. I am a firm believer in the value of a permanent marker or spraypaint to mark your name on your property that is near the water in the case of it wandering. It will keep the honest people honest. I remember what the fellow in Chatham County told me as he dragged my canoe to his house after a flood swept it away from my land on the Haw and hid it for several weeks. His wife told him "you know you can't keep it." He spotted my number written inside, called me and of course I rewarded him. The paddles were even in it!

Mark worked hard with me to salvage the deck and the canoe in the background from the impending doom of being swept down the river in November of 2009.







Below is a link to the original and complete news story

High and dry: Lost yachts rounded up | Courier Mail

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Lot C Shoccoree Ridge Rd.

20.6 Acres

Haw River Frontage

In Orange County, NC

In southwest Orange County, situated directly on the Haw River with a septic permit on record, 250 feet of river frontage with canoe landing, mostly wooded with some fields and old roads, a small bridge allows access to all areas of the property, small structures already situated on the property and only twenty minutes from Chapel Hill.

Wake up to the sunny Haw River and enjoy this quiet stretch of Piedmont river.

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Map Link Below

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Luxury yacht snared amid debris | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast | Fraser Coast Chronicle

Good story about a yacht saved from the flood by some teenagers.

Luxury yacht snared amid debris | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast | Fraser Coast Chronicle