The Charterboat Lineup

The accompanying photos show what looks like an attempt at the world’s largest raft-up. And who knows, it might have been.

But the primary reason they are assembled this way at Paraquita Lagoon on the south side of Tortola in the British Virgins is to protect them from the ravages of hurricanes, such as Earl, which passed through the other day. It’s our understanding that these boats are from The Moorings and several other charter companies, including BVI Yacht Charters, which is why our Leopard 45 cat ‘ti Profligate rode out Earl in that location.

What makes Paraquita Lagoon such a good hurricane hole is that it’s protected extremely well from the north, and pretty darn well from the west, south and east, and it also features mangroves as bumpers. The only opening into the lagoon is from the south, and that opening is just 30 feet wide, which makes it a very tight squeeze for the biggest cats.

Our understanding is that the hundreds of charter yachts in Paraquita rode out Earl‘s three hours of 80-knot winds from the south without any significant issues. The further good news is that Tropical Storm Fiona passed to the south without any problem 48 hours later, and what looked to be Hurricane Gaston marching in from the east has lost strength and barely rates tropical storm status as he heads toward the Antigua-Guadeloupe area. Gaston, however, is still far enough out for his strength and course to change.

Glenn Kotara reports there is also good news from Anegada in the British Virgins, a low island — maximum elevation 28 feet — that was probably closest to the eye of Earl — now off the East Coast of the U.S. — at his strongest:

"I have finally made contact with Wendell Creque, my long time friend and owner of Cow Wreck Beach Bar. Wendell assures me that they took a minor hit. In fact, he said to hell with Earl and sat in the back of the bar drinking beer. Tough people, those native Anegadans."

While the Cow Wreck Beach Bar may not have suffered much, there have been reports of extensive damage elsewhere on the island and to private docks.