22 July Back to Newport

After the last two days of extreme heat the weather forecast is indicating storms and north winds. It's time to pull up anchor.  We've had a couple of weeks on Martha's Vineyard and we feel it is time to move to a new area to explore; Long Island Sound.  Newport is a logical halfway offering more shelter from northerlies and it is convenient for reprovisioning.
Current ran with us all the way and we came into the harbour on slack high water.  There are more boats in the anchorage, there is not much room between the mooring fields, and we took our time picking our spot expecting we would be turning around later.  We were set and then the boat behind us left and we were able to shift a little further out, but still not encroach on the channel.
The sunset was beautiful and then our weather watch app bleeped storm approaching.  The VHF radio automatically switched to Channel 2 with a warning of high winds and water spouts moving across the area.  We quickly went into full alert mode.  Table cleared, instruments on, anchor watch alarm (on hand held GPS) moved to the helm, waterproof jackets and trousers donned, fenders rigged on both sides.   David had picked out a super yacht mooring which was available; if we had problems that was where we were going.
And then we watched the dark clouds roll across the bay from the west.  In the last rays of light we were hit by the sudden force of the north wind on our beam. Bang! Jackster rolled and turned bow to wind as the rain began.
In under a minute the anchorage went from calm to mayhem as boats swung at different speeds, those anchored to close to moored boats touched and tangled.  The boat next to us dragged onto our starboard quarter.  David was pushing it away as I nudged us slowly forward under power.  We put on deck lights to see and be seen.  The VHF was filled with requests for help to the harbour master. “Boat … is dragging onto us”, “I've lost my dinghy”,  “My anchor has caught the power cable”, and  “This is the Coast Guard. Be aware a water spout has been reported at Block Island moving east at 30 miles and hour”.
Fortunately our anchor held us like a Rocna should.   The rain and wind continued for nearly an hour and during this time the harbour master was unable to get off the dock to help boats.  He explained it was too dangerous and he could only come out if life was in danger.  Once the rain stopped he did help boats onto empty mooring balls for the night.  
The joy of boating!  A sport that brings people together – sometimes when they'd prefer not to.