The Captain had warned us yesterday when we left Hobart, Tasmania, that today and tomorrow were going to be rough...well, he came on a few minutes ago (10:30 am) and said to batten down the hatches and that about 12:30 we would really be in the teeth of it...as of now, we are getting 70+ knot winds and he's had to slow down to 11 knots since our "apparent wind" is over 90 knots...seas are messy with large swells. He's ducking in closer to Tasmania as we prepare to swing around it's northern side, where we will be in the midst of the worst of the storm. Barometer is still falling at 995 so far. Not going to be a good afternoon. Definitely not planning on "Gala Night" tonight...stocked up on fruit and crackers this morning. Decided to prophylactically take a whole Meclizine...who cares if I sleep all afternoon! If you can believe, someone was complaining to our group leader for our travel agency about missing the port today! (Always someone!) Too bad...I guess they wouldn't have minded the 24' seas the Captain was trying to avoid! (And has.)
11 am update: Captain said 75 mph winds...he's moving ballast around before we turn the corner of northern Tasmania to try to even out our "heel" as we turn (wind will be on our right side then...right now we are heading into it)..slowed to 10 knots to make it more comfortable, but the forecast is for this to last until tomorrow afternoon. I wouldn't be surprised if he postponed Valentines Day Gala Night to tomorrow night...we're definitely not planning to go (DR is aft and will sway a lot!)
Interesting: 4:45 Captain came on and said we are "hove to" in sailing parlance (for all our sailing buddies) i.e. He's heading into the wind and slowing down to just maintain way on to keep her heading into the wind...easier ride..we noticed several waves breaking up to our cabin on the 6th deck! Waves are definitely 24' and over... Nasty...but it's also beautiful since the sun is out periodically. Chris has been videoing off and on, but they won't show how it really is. I'm on our bed reading and watching the tv that has all our nautical information and bow camera...been fun to see all the wind and speed info. We are only at 1.7 knots right now as he heads into the wind and will ride this out a bit. Nice that we are NOT in an "apartment of the seas" as some folks refer to those "high rise" cruise ships. At least ours is built for the seas! Earlier, the captain had cancelled the Gala Night festivities, which works fine since I had already cancelled "ours." Not hitting the shower tonight!
7:30 Back from dinner in the Lido...not many there...doubt many in the DR either. Lots of less able folks should stay in their cabins and order room service...safer. Heard somebody fell this morning and broke a shoulder...not good. Probably more broken bones than that. Clocks go back another 30 minutes tonight. It'll be interesting to hear if our call at Kangaroo Island the day after tomorrow will be impacted by this storm.
Feb. 15th...noon...Captain was doing under 3 knots all night...about 6 am he picked it up to 11 and is now at 17 knots and still OK...definitely rocky, but doable. Winds are still in the 50 knot and up range, swells are getting more and more. They reached 26' yesterday and 2 broke over the bow (those are the two that hit our verandah.)He's still hoping to make Kangaroo Island tomorrow, but it'll be at noon instead of 8...we'll see. We have nothing planned and instead are planning to see a nature park in Adelaide. Shall try to send this after lunch.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
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