Saturday 29 June 7pm

Extract from NASA website

Friday, June 28, NHC determined that the system had developed a well-organized center with ample convective banding to be classified as a tropical depression (TD #2).  Beryl was then quickly upgraded to a tropical storm later that night with sustained winds estimated at 40 mph.  The next morning, after continuing to become better organized, Beryl was in a favorable environment to further intensify, which is exactly what happened with the compact storm quickly responding to the low wind shear and warm SSTs in the form of continued active deep thunderstorm activity, which lowered the central pressure and allowed Beryl to become a hurricane by 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 29.  Later that evening and into the next afternoon, Beryl underwent what is known as a rapid intensification cycle, becoming a Category 2 hurricane the next morning at 5:00 a.m. EDT, then a Category 3 storm at 8:00 a.m. EDT, and finally a Category 4 storm a few hours later.  Beryl then leveled off, maintaining Category 4 intensity with sustained winds of 130 mph for the rest of the day.

What a relief to be tied up in PLM! It wasn't easy coming in because at 2pm, thirty minutes motoring time to the channel into the lagoon we were hit by a massive storm. The rain was so heavy we had to use radar to 'see' boats ahead of us and with winds gusting over 30 knots we didn't feel it would be prudent to attempt docking in a restricted space, not when we have the option to anchor and wait for the storm to pass.

As we approached a previous spot we had anchored David's eyes were bloodshot from looking through a gap in the window watching where we were going. I tried wearing my dive mask but it steamed up and I saw even less. We anchored safely and called the marina to say we were going to wait for the wind to pass before coming in. Although I was wearing my wet weather jacket (and life jacket with crutch straps) I was wet and cold.

On the VHF we heard many of boats hailing the marina either to say get ready we're coming in, where do we go? And do you have a berth available? The dock staff remained cool and courteous. After nearly 2 hours waiting the rain had stopped and the wind was between 15 to 20 knots which from experience would translate into less than10 knots within the protection of the lagoon so we called and went in.

It was still mayhem with boats ahead of us in the queue as we waited our turn to be told the dock handlers were ready for us, but at least we could safely hold position. We were the last boat to dock that evening. The marina manager, and our friend, Zara, wanted her staff to log off and catch the last buses home.

We feel far safer in Port Louis. It has a rating to withstand a category 2 hurricane and, being a flooded volcanic caldera the hills surrounding should lessen the wind effect. Surge is a bigger concern, but again, there is a dog leg from open sea to the lagoon.

Safer, but not safe due to the unpredictable nature of hurricanes.

On 7 September, 2004 the eye of hurricane Ivan passed over St Georges bringing winds of 135mph. It was the worst hurricane to hit the island for 40 years. It came in from the south east corner of the lagoon where we are now, but before there was a marina here, crossed the harbour and went out over Fort George. At least 85% of the island suffered damage. Even today, twenty years later, we can see a church next to the fort being rebuilt. The clock tower survived with the hands stopped at the moment it was struck. The hands remain, never moved, as a permanent reminder.

We anchored in the lagoon, about 100m from this dock, in July 2009. What we didn't know was our anchored was fouled in debris from Ivan five years before and we dragged.

Fortunately for us because we were ashore, Gary and Jackie from Inspiration Lady were anchored behind and were able to jump on board and re-anchor.

Tonight as we contemplate the approach of Beryl I'm worried.