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Re: Holding power of Mooring Ball required for hurricanes

David Pawley
 

5 tons sounds a lot, it kind of means that if a tug boat gave 5 tons of thrust it could lift 5 tons in weight.(Most of the tugs I worked on were greater than 80T). Don't know about elsewhere but when Cyclone Leanne (think?) hit the Whitsundays a few years ago, maybe 150 boats are still missing ie they were moored and the wrench effect pulled off the bow fitting and the vessels subsequently sank due to water ingress.

On Thu, 13 Feb 2020 at 17:02, ngtnewington Newington via Groups.Io <ngtnewington=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:
I would not leave the boat in the water during hurricane season in Grenada....
Stored ashore is still a risk but much safer. As Matt says sail to Trinidad.
There are several good yards in Chaguaramus  to store the boat ashore, the price is much the same...the only problem with Trinidad is that the water is dirty from oil so when you launch you want to be ready to leave to either Tobago, which is a day motor against wind and current or an overnight to Grenada.


Nick
Amelia AML54-019


On 13 Feb 2020, at 02:14, Matt Salatino via Groups.Io <helmsmatt=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

The best protection from a direct hurricane hit is 100 nm.
Grenada was hit by Ivan in 2004. It damaged most of the boats there. Grenada has learned since, and has improved their yard storage.
Grenada, though on the south edge of the “box”, has seen a dozen or more hurricanes in the past 70 years. If I were to spend the season aboard, Grenada would be my choice. Given all big storms in that region originate in Africa, you have at least 5 days notice to hop 80 miles to Trinidad.
Trinidad is out of the box. 3 hurricanes in 100 years. Two dozen tropical storms. When we were in the eastern Carib, we chose to leave the boat, on the hard, in Trinidad. 
Do NOT leave a boat you value, long term, unattended on a mooring. No one your paying to “watch” it will renew the mooring pennants during a storm. Your lines will chafe. You’ll lose the boat.
So, my recommendation.
Trinidad to leave the boat. Grenada to live aboard for the summer.

~~~⛵️~~~Matt

On Feb 12, 2020, at 8:28 PM, Eamonn Washington <eamonn.washington@...> wrote:

Hi

A mooring ball is rated in terms of holding power but I don’t understand what that means.  I also don’t know what holding power is required to hold a Super Maramu in a hurricane.  Could someone please explain if a 5t holding power would be sufficient or inadequate? 

I am trying to figure out what is the best option, to leave the boat on the hard (chocked and tied down) or in a marina (spider web of lines) or on a mooring ball.  We wish to leave our boat in Grenada during the hurricane season while we will be away the entire time.  (We will have someone check it regularly.)

Should the water tank be full or empty?  I guess if storing on land more weight is better, and in water less weight is better, but I am guessing.

Thanks
Eamonn Washington
Travel Bug
Super Maramu #151
Currently in Grenada

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