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May 24, 2005
N17.6 W66.2 Salinas, Puerto Rico
Salinas was reported as the best place on the island for supplies. Lacking charts for the Dominican Republic, we headed for this area, which has a good reputation for hurricane holes. This we had to see. The holes are shallow muddy bottom holes in the mangroves, where the idea is to careen your boat into the mud, drop at least two anchors, and tie into the mangroves. Apparently, it works; we hope never to find out.
We dropped anchor just outside the hurricane holes, and headed in to get our charts.
That evening, we were hit by a series of heavy squalls and thunderstorms where the wind shifted from the east to the west, and then back. Of course, the boat points into the wind and we swung on the anchor. We knew the bottom shelved quickly to the beach, but we had no idea that the heavy winds during the storms would blow us so close. The depth sounder read 0.3 metres under the keel, and we started to take in anchor chain until it read 1 metre. Satsifed, we went to sleep, planning a very early departure.
In the morning, the depth sounder read 0.0 metres. We turned on the engine, and started to take up chain. We didn’t move. Not an inch. We dinghyed a second anchor off the right side into deeper water, and using our biggest winch, began to grind ourselves sideways off the sand shelf. We didn’t budge.
We called the Coast Guard, asking for assistance with a tow. After several minutes on the radio with them, responding to their 30 questions like “Are there any injuries?”, “Are you leaking fuel or oil?”. All boats are legally required to monitor VHF Channel 16 in the case of a distress call. Thank goodness. On anchor in the harbour, Bear Necessities called us to say he would come and tow us off the shelf. Truly amazing. He arrived 15 minutes later, along with the local Policia. The Policia were checking on us, friendly guys, drug squad. Bear Necessities tossed us a line, which we wrapped on our biggest deck cleat, and after 3 or 4 tugs, we were loose. Halleluiah! He wouldn’t take a thing for helping us, but we chatted for a few minutes on the radio, exchanged email addresses, and he asked only that we help someone in need, when the time comes. No problem!
The kindness of strangers!
One of the values we ascribe to is to always do the right thing, even if we don’t want to. We believe that by doing so, the great Creator, or guardian angel, or our destiny, will take good care of us. Every day, we remind ourselves of this. It has become more important to us now than ever before.
Posted by dave at May 24, 2005 11:27 AM