Tuesday, December 23, 2014

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Pinoy Boat Service
Port Carmen, Cebu
Philippines

Tis the day before Christmas and all thru the boat seems to be the feeling of Bah Humbug!! It must be that we have been here in the boat yard far to long. We are in the process of readying the boat to get underway. The necessary projects have been completed and now it is mainly waiting for a package to arrive that was sent from the States Nov. 13. The company failed to follow our instructions and send it USPS Priority and instead sent it First Class. Who knows when it may arrive. Perhaps we will decide to do without. So Bah Humbug has been the theme this year.

No matter that as we sit here today we wish  you ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

GUSTY WINDS AND RAIN

Pinoy Boat Service
Port Carmen, Cebu
Philippines

For us here secure in Pinoy Boat Service just north of Cebu city typhoon Ruby was kind. Ruby brought us gusty winds to perhaps 40 knots late last night through this morning. We continue to have a light but steady rain that started last night. So far the only drawback for us has been the loss of electricity. We have been receiving the internet on Kathy's phone to follow what has been happening as Ruby tracks through the Philippines to our north.

Tomorrow will hopefully bring back the sun and we can put the boat back together. Perhaps I will also fill in the missing weeks of no blog.


Friday, December 5, 2014

READY AND WAITING

Pinoy boat Service
Port Carmen, Cebu
Philippines

All of our preparation for Ruby's arrival has been done and we now sit and wait. Yesterday was very busy in the yard as all the workers helped in the preparation. More lines were added to both bows and sterns  of all the yachts. Anchors were deployed from bows up and across a wall to augment bow lines. Shades and furled sails were removed. Mainsails were wrapped on their booms. Dinghies were relocated and tied down securely. The roof of the upstairs restaurant/bar was tied down. Busy, busy, busy!! All the while this was going on we were busy looking at various internet weather sites for updates on the forecast and projected track.

This morning, Saturday 6 December, we have gray sky's with some gusty winds but less than 25 knots. so far we have had no rain. Most important Ruby continues to track a bit north of west and when she makes landfall will be about 120 miles to our north and east on  the island of Samar.
We will experience wind and rain but as long as this forecast holds things will not be to severe for us.

LATEST FORECAST TRACK

THIS MORNINGS SAT PHOTO


WE HOPE THE WALL HOLDS

PO IN THE MIDDLE WITH
LINES LIKE SPAGHETTI

WE'RE ALL CROWDED IN

STERN LINES GOING EVERYWHERE


HOW MANY LINES CAN
ONE CLEAT HOLD
As long as we have power and internet I'll try to send updates. Based on what we see now we hopefully will have no problems in this area of the Philippines.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

TYPHOON RUBY

Pinoy Boat Service
Port Carmen, Cebu
Philippines

To any faithful readers I apologize, it's been several weeks and there has been a lot happening here in the boat yard. Sorry but all of that will have to wait as we are on typhoon watch. Local name Ruby, international name of  Hagupit is on it's way and depending on which model used we could be in for severe weather. We are hoping that the US Navy site JTWC is the correct one and ruby will make a last minute turn to the north leaving us on the fringes and with winds on  the 40 knot range. Time will tell.

We have been watching this system develop over the past five days starting as a mass of clouds near the equator and now developed into a category 5 or super typhoon with sustained winds of 155 knots and gusts to 190 knots.

We are about 90% prepared as I write this on Thursday evening here. We will finish up tomorrow adding additional stern lines, tying up the wind generator and some other small jobs. Depending on the forecast model that comes true our area will start feeling the effects around noon Saturday. by then we should also know where Ruby is going.





I'll try to give some updates during the next few days and once Ruby has left catch up on the last month activities.