down our windshield and other deck materials to decrease the effect of the wind, and the wind generator is continuing to let off some awful howls. I dare say this is the strongest wind Cat Tales has seen under my command, and I'm just as glad it is at a mooring. We slept rather well; indeed we felt a little guilty after hearing that some were planning to maintain an anchor watch over the expected 24 hour period of high wind.
A blistering, horizontal rain just started, but I am hopeful that the girls are already on the bus.
We continue to listen to Bermuda Radio's broadcasts. A regular feature is a list of warnings to mariners. Right now, there are three abandoned vessels in the Bermuda area, bobbing around. We got forwarded an email from one of the crews, saying they have been dumped in a resort here after being dropped from the helicopter that rescued them. They arrived with foul weather gear and passports, and are asking for friends to send them some clothes and shoes. They have a 4-year old girl with them,
who apparently took the trouble and the rescue in stride - obviously too young to feel mortal. The events that lead up to abandoning a vessel can be referred to as "even cascade" or "failure cascade", where one thing goes wrong, then another, then the situation becomes rather hopeless. In some cases, I assume, the first event may involve ignoring or misunderstanding the weather. Typically problems with sails and rigging are then followed by engine trouble or loss of steering. At any rate, we
now have to look out for abandoned vessels when we leave.
Monday, a cold and dreary day, brought flat water, and an opportunity to get off the boat without salt-contaminated clothing. We took the bus to Hamilton, and toured the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Two floors of interactive exhibits, most donated by Bermudian collectors and divers. It was pretty amazing and informative. I am convinced that the average diver would not recognize a treasure if he were to swim over it in perfect conditions - the sea soon changes things. We got back
to the anchorage just in time to go over to Derek's 60th birthday party aboard Lorien, a 48' Canada-registered Catana cat. Tim, from another Canadian cat, the Somerset 33, arrived with a guitar, sound system, and magnificent electronics. His guitar ability is amazing, while the electronics allowed him and his guitar to mimic the styles of all the greats: Clapton, Hendrix, Santana, Leadbelly, Chet Atkins, etc. It was truly amazing.
Yesterday, before the high winds set in, Dawn and I got over to Fort St. Catherines and finally found it open to the public. We rushed through the displays and it still took us a couple of hours. Any military historian worth his salt would have to make trip to this establishment. The displays show the evolution of gunnery, with many amazing samples. One movie provided the history of the many forts on Bermuda. No matter what Dawn says, we have visited very few of them.
Well, with Dawn gone, I have a book to complete, and a list of chores to tackle, as Cat Tales bounces on her mooring.
Cheers.
