Carriacou Regatta Festival 2007 - Caribbean Compass

—Continued from previous page
The Marina remains ready should severe weather
threaten the island again.
Farther south in St. Lucia, at the Soufriere Marine
Management Area, manager Kai Wulf reports: “We
lost three yacht moorings during the passage of
Hurricane Dean and the Soufriere Foundation jetty is
damaged. The use of the facility has been prohibited
until further notice. But the waterfront has already
been cleaned up by the fire service and the repair of
the jetty will start soon. A comprehensive assessment
has been scheduled, when we will dive key areas for
potential structural problems and environmental
impacts. However, we don’t expect extensive stormrelated
destruction, since there was no major wave
action within our area. Generally there has been little
disruption.” Lee Kessell adds, “From Marigot south,
scuba diving was not affected to any degree.”
Farther still from Dean’s eye, Hubert Winston of the
Dominica Marine Center and the Dominica Marine
Association says: “Days before the hurricane was due
to hit the Leeward Islands, yachts were heading south
like crabs heading to their usual hole. For years, it has
been the cardinal rule that boats go south for cover
— without much regard to weather patterns. At the
Dominica Marine Center in Roseau, the last charter
yacht headed south to Martinique after off-loading its
passengers just 24 hours before Dean was due. Most
local boats waited until the last minute, probably
thinking Dean would change course or their boats
would be spared by divine intervention. Due to the
lack of suitable dry dock facilities, haul-out services,
trailers and lift mechanisms, the local port authority
was overwhelmed as these boatowners barraged the
port berth for the use of its crane, almost all at the
same time.”
Meanwhile, at Portsmouth in the northern part of
Dominica, boats ranging from small wooden water
taxis to cargo vessels measuring up to 130 feet sheltered
in the mouth of the Indian River, the deepest
river in the country. However, Hubert reports that a
new bridge planned to replace the old one over the
Indian River will not provide adequate clearance for
many vessels to reach safety.
Hubert notes that “the Dominica Marine Association is
working with all stakeholders in trying to create solu-
tions for local boat problems during hurricane season,
and also on making Dominica one of the Caribbean’s
hottest spots for yachties.” Plans are being made for a
marina in Dominica’s Cabrits National Park that will
accommodate yachts up to 130 feet with modern
amenities and facilities.
From Guadeloupe, yacht rally organizer Stéphane
Legendre reports little effect from the storm, which
brought a maximum wind of 45 knots. He notes that
some beaches and seaside restaurants suffered,
but Marina Bas du Fort at Pointe-à-Pitre was completely
unaffected. He adds a navigation note:
“Caution should be observed at Ilet Gosier anchorage
as a small wreck moved from one side of the
mooring to the other, losing its superstructure in the
process. The wreck is very visible on the west side of
the islet on a sand bank. The superstructure is lying
one foot underwater, close to the islet pontoon —
so watch out!”
And although Hurricane Dean passed just south of
Jamaica on its westward track across the Caribbean
Sea, Christine Downer of the Errol Flynn Marina at Port
Antonio on the island’s northeast coast reports: “The
Errol Flynn Marina suffered no damage to its marina or
boatyard facilities. There were a number of vessels in
our wet slips and also on dry dock and there was no
damage to any of these boats. Port Antonio and Errol
Flynn Marina and Boatyard stand ready to accommodate
yachts, and supply fuel and boatyard services
as usual.”
Mexican Tall Ship Bound for Curaçao
On invitation from the Curaçao Sail Foundation, the
Mexican sail-training ship ARM Cuauhtémoc will visit
Curaçao from October 13th to 18th.
For more information contact ceo@curacaosail.com.
Excuse Us, We’re Lost
The photo caption on page 24 of the August issue of
Compass should have read “Bocas del Toro”, not
“Bocas del Rio”. Apologies for any confusion caused.
Welcome Aboard!
In this issue of Compass we welcome aboard new
advertiser Sea and Sail of Guadeloupe, page 47.
Good to have you with us!
Boats Found Adrift
On August 20th, the catamaran S/V Kit-is (see photo)
was found approximately 51 nautical miles west of
Dominica by the oil tanker Goodrich Bay and towed
Dismasted but afloat, this cat was found adrift three
days after Hurricane Dean passed through the
St. Lucia Channel
to Point Lisas, Trinidad. It seems to have been damaged
by Hurricane Dean. Ship’s papers in French were
found on board but the owner’s name is indiscernible.
Anyone with knowledge of this yacht or its owners is
asked to contact the Caribbean Marine Association
at info@caribbeanmarineassociation.com
or (868) 634-4938.
Also, a white 27-foot Albin Vega named Lorelei was
found adrift off the south side of St. John, US Virgin
Islands, on August 22nd. The sloop’s anchor was
down, and a French passport in the name of Jacky
Millet was found aboard.
Anyone with knowledge of this yacht or its owners is
asked to contact Lindy at yachts@islands.vi
or (340) 998-5149.
SEPTEMBER 2007 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 5