Limerence Update #29
Limerence Update 29 Latitude 9d46'N – 85d35'W
Temperature Air 92' Water 83'
Storm in the Gulf – July 2001
After nearly two weeks cruising in the Gulf of Nicoya, we
hauled anchor in
the late morning and departed from Tortuga Island, heading back to the
Marina – 18 miles east. People always ask us if we have suffered though any
storms or bad times at sea. We generally answer no, because we have always
carefully watched the weather and proceeded cautiously. This day was no
different. Our SSB morning marine net did not forecast any severe weather
in the area. As an airplane pilot and sailor for many years, I have a critical
eye for weather. Because our cruise across the Gulf was so short, we were
somewhat complacent and the weather gave us a few surprises.
As we entered the Gulf, we could see significant weather to the north, about
fifteen miles away. It was sunny and clear to the south. . . with a fresh
southerly breeze of 12 knots. Beautiful sailing weather! Within an hour the
weather system to the north became quite significant with lightening, heavy
rain, whitecaps, and even waterspouts! Yes! Judy saw two or three spouts on
the horizon. This got my attention. After observing the storm for several
hours as we made our way toward the Marina, it appeared stationary and
didn't seem to pose a threat. The skies to the south were clear. . . I was
unconcerned about the darkening clouds to the east over the mountains and
Marina. They looked like our normal afternoon rain shower clouds.
Our radar was working flawlessly, outlining the storm cells, several
commercial fishing boats, and shoreline. As we approached the two-mile
mark outside of the harbor to the Marina, the skies suddenly blackened and
the mountains disappeared in heavy rain and clouds. The radar now showed
weather at twelve o'clock . . . This was not good!
We rolled in our jib, and proceeded to motor sail with the full mainsail up.
The skies over Limerence suddenly opened up in buckets of heavy rain with
thunder and lightening. Judy sat in the companionway handling the
mainsheet. The wind suddenly struck us at approximately 20-25 knots. The
rain became horizontal. I decided our best strategy was to head Limerence
into the northeast wind and toward shore two miles away. This reduced any
wave build up, and seemed a good way to hold while the storm passed. The
winds continued to build and within minutes were 35 knots. What started out
as a sunny pleasant sail had become ugly with gusts over 40 knots! Visibility
was now down to three hundred yards, with horizontal sheets of rain. I was
hand steering Limerence and struggling with the rain obliterating my
eyeglasses. I needed windshield wipers!
Things were okay until I realized that the huge commercial fishing boat on
our port side was closing in fast on a collision course with us. One of us
would have to "yield". I rationalized that we were under sail. . . he didn't
know we were motor sailing! For that matter, we were on a starboard tack!
For those that don't know it. . . we technically had the right of way. This was
going to be a case of "chicken". I was determined to maintain my slow
course of 2 knots into the wind, and he could either cross my bow, or stern.
Within minutes I realized I was wrong to assume a fishing vessel would go
around me. The other captain did not move away or yield his position. I
later learned the "Costa Rican" rules of the sea on "right of way"
from
friends on the docks. If the commercial fishing boat is huge, old and rusty
with paint peeling off the side, he always has the right of way. I finally
showed my courtesy in this beautiful weather, and gave way to the fishing
boat. This was not a pretty sight as we turned and got slammed by the wind
as we momentarily jibed. We were now on a high-speed downwind tack.
About ten minutes later, we came about and fell behind the fishing boat, and
resumed our course toward the Marina. As all this was happening, I began to
get really cold. Judy dashed below and pulled our foulies from under the
mattress in the v-berth. We went from sailing in swimsuits to foul weather
gear within minutes. I had to wipe my glasses continuously. . . a real
problem I hadn't anticipated! A line of huge commercial fishing boats
continued to come at us, one by one. We threaded our way cautiously
between them as we got back on course.
After less than an hour, the rain and wind subsided, and the fishing boats
began to lay their nets. We were able to make our way into the harbor and
turn the corner into the Marina. When we arrived at the dock, there was a
mini-welcoming party of Marina staff to take our lines. They were
concerned about our safety. The storm was so violent at the Marina that the
guard shack blew into the water and was destroyed, the marina buildings
shook in the wind, and the power was out! They called it a mini-hurricane!
Conclusion: Even though boat gear was secured and we were prepared for a
bumpy crossing, we were lulled into complacency by thinking that the rains
would be our typical light afternoon showers. What actually happened was a
stationary warm weather system to the north collided with a cold system to
the east. Hot and cool air mixing resulted in a localized microburst!
We learned a lesson that day on being prepared. We should have reefed the
sails earlier, yielded to the commercial fishing boat immediately, got out the
foul weather gear earlier, and prepared ourselves for heavy weather sailing.
We were fortunate. Nothing was broken. We didn't go aground, break any
equipment on the boat, or collide with another boat. However, with more
planning we could have reduced the stress and strain on Limerence and
ourselves. We were lucky that we were not in the harbor when this occurred,
but in the open Gulf of Nicoya with lots of maneuvering room. We are
learning as we go, and wanted to share this brief experience with you. This
incident has prepared us for future weather encounters. It will be a small
footnote in our adventure.
Fair winds, Captain Doug and Faithful Siren Judy
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