What to do about Cyclone Season
Tropical
Cyclone season is December to March, which is summer here in the Southern
Hemisphere. There is a pretty well defined region where cyclones develop.
Tonga, Fiji and Samoa are all in this region, so all of us cruisers have to
make a plan regarding what to do.
Option 1: Head
south to spend the summer in New Zealand. This is the most popular choice, but
it can be an uncomfortable passage to New Zealand and then another
uncomfortable passage back before winter comes to New Zealand.
Option 2: Head
north to get out of the traditional cyclone zone. Some people head north, to places like The
Marshalls. This is certainly heading off the beaten path.
Option 3: There
are a few really enclosed anchorages (known as hurricane holes), and some
people choose to stay and plan to ride it out if a cyclone comes there way.
We like
option 4: Leave your boat somewhere safe and go have fun elsewhere. This is
what we did 18 months ago when we left our boat in Guaymas, Mexico for the Pacific
Hurricane season. That worked out okay.
Now here in
the South Pacific, we were not really sure what we wanted to do until two
things happened. Malcolm realized that ski season in the Northern Hemisphere
corresponds to the Tropical Cyclone season and Dina found out about a new
boatyard opening in Vava’u, Tonga (http://www.boatyardvavau.com/). Dina
corresponded with the boatyard and it all sounded great. The owner/operators
are very professional, the boatyard is in a very well protected location in
Vava’u and Tonga is in a great location to start cruising again after cyclone
season. So, the decision was made.
We have
spent about 6 weeks exploring Vava’u, having fun with friends (see previous
blog posts), and saying good-bye to those heading south to New Zealand or north
towards the equator. There was a tiny bit of concern because the trailer used
to haul out the boats was delayed a bit, but it all worked out.
On Monday
we were boat #4 to be hauled out (the owners took their own boats out first).
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were spent preparing the boat. Anything that
wasn’t bolted down, and a few things that were, were taken off the deck and put
down below. We also squeezed in some
last minute socializing!
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| Driving up to the ramp |
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| Hooking Up |
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| Malcolm is a bit nervous about this! |
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| Parking in a nice safe spot |