12.06.14 George. Sandra. Elan 43 and the Typhoon Ruby Hagupit meet at sea

Yesterday saw another sailboat in the bay, but really concerned since the typhoon just passed us. Had the opportunity to visit George and Sandra on their boat - Glenn from NZ helped them yesterday and was going to pick them up. So I went along ot meet them and see if I could help them in any way. Goerge and Sandra are from Austria and have been sailing around the world together. Seven years on the sea, off  and on, which seems to be the way some of the Europeans do it.

They had a series of serious misinformation that really jeopardized their lives. While in Fiji they were told to go north of the equator as it was passed typhoon season (not so!). They were going to sail to Palau, but as the storm gathered strength they sailed to Woleai, one of our outer islands. The people there told them they did not expect much of a storm, so George and Sandra headed towards Yap. Then they were caught in the middle of it. Their sails were shredded, the boat on its side taking in water twice, a line wrapped around their motor, George had to dive to cut the line in the middle of the typhoon, lost their dinghy, and they were low on fuel. A freighter leaving Yap was nearby and floated containers of fuel to them in a Styrofoam chest. Sandra was able to catch the line and hold on to it. Fortuantely a wave washed it up on the platform of the boat, otherwise she was afraid she was getting pulled into the sea. They were shaken up, but today much better. They called me tonight to say there were in good spirits and good health and we will  meet tomorrow. It seems like they will be in Yap for a while.

In another entry, I will recount the story of Glenn and how he managed to get his catamaran in Yap.

Even though it is a very small island, there has been enough happening that it exciting to be here. And the Chief asked me if I was bored. Not a chance.


One of the state legislatures cleaning up after the typhoon.

Backbeat. Hit the inner reef last November in Woleai during a typhoon. Glenn and Marie are crew and work on repairing it. It is  owned by an American. No storm damage.
From that great harbor in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

View of Chammorro Bay from the dingy.

George and Sandra, two very luck people.

Glenn and their son Ron working on a boat.

Sandra.

 

The old and the new.

Rainbow near sunset. A real mix in the sky of dark clouds and blue sky and not a drop of rain on us.

If you look close, you can see the reflection in the lagoon.

One beautiful yacht. Elan 43.

 

George and Glenn passing of diving tanks. Glenn has a tattoo of an America Indian women and chief on each of his upper arms. So did his Dad.

 

 

The diving tank everyone is touching is the one George used when he was diving to cut the line from the motor. Ron is in the foreground.