High Winds Wreak Havoc

How about that wind yesterday? Officially, it hit 45 knots at Angel Island and SFO recorded gusts to 60. Although the wind will return to a more typical 15-25 today, small craft advisories remain in effect up and down the coast through Thursday afternoon.

The strong winds wreaked their usual havoc. Improperly wound roller furling headsails got unwound and shredded. A few boats reportedly broke free from moorings in Richardson Bay — one went ashore at Peninsula Point, and two others were recaptured while still adrift. A Corps of Engineers boat also wrangled a dead gray whale near Angel Island and anchored it near the mouth of Richardson Bay until the conditions calm and it can be towed out to sea.

The biggest wind-related excitement of the day revolved around a 70-ft fishing boat that remains wedged under the eastern end of the San Mateo Bridge. A strong gust reportedly blew the Dandy Bill off of the main channel onto the mudflats sometime yesterday afternoon. The crew called for assistance and were evacuated by the Coast Guard, but the Dandy Bill drifted into the bridge. Although it snapped off a call box and chewed up some concrete, officials maintain that it has not caused any serious damage to the bridge. That was small solace to commuters, who had to endure closed lanes both west and eastbound — the latter after winds blew a semi truck over on its side only a half hour before the boat hit. As if that wasn’t enough, two kayakers were also hoisted onto the bridge after getting in trouble in the high winds.

Officials are still trying to dislodge the fishing boat, which has partially sunk in the soft mud. Once its fuel tanks have been emptied and the tide comes in this afternoon, they hope to get a tug or some other capable craft close enough to pull it free. If that proves impossible, the Dandy Bill may have to be removed piece by piece.