Storm Again Takes a Toll on Richardson Bay Boats

Yesterday’s storm — also known as a ‘Bomb Cyclone’ — caused blackouts, falling trees, mudslides and the usual havoc associated with Northern California’s worst winter storms. Wind gusts on Mt. St. Helena and Mt. Diablo were recorded at 50-60 miles per hour, and the rainfall total on Mt. Tamalpais was recorded at over 13 inches, causing flooding in Marin. Unfortunately, the storm took its usual toll on boats anchored on Richardson Bay. As we drove down to check lines on our boat in the midst of Sunday’s storm, we passed by three boats and a jet ski that had lost their grip on the seafloor and came ashore in Tiburon.

The bomb cyclone is a type of storm known for its plunging atmospheric pressure, according to the New York Times. Yesterday’s storm drove an ‘atmospheric river’ — a concentrated plume of moisture that extends over the ocean — south of the core of the storm, which took its toll across Northern California. The storm has been categorized as the third-worst to hit the Bay Area. For some the storm has meant the loss of a boat, and for others the loss of a home. Coincidentally, our November issue, being delivered on Monday, November 1, includes a story by Tim Henry updating us on the evolving status of liveaboards and anchor-outs on Richardson Bay.

We can’t speak to the circumstances of each individual boat or boat owner and think it’s tragic for these owners, but also for whoever has to manage the burden of cleanup. Skilled mariners of registered, insured and well-found boats securely moored in Richardson Bay have been a rich part of Sausalito’s maritime culture. Though surely difficult to achieve, we think a well-managed mooring field, similar to what’s offered in San Diego, could provide a way to preserve this maritime heritage while lowering the risk to life and property.

We received a couple of other photos of Bay Area storm scenes.

If you have photos or stories from elsewhere in the Bay you can email them here.