Here is an early report from Grenada. I don't know these people myself but
am thankful they are OK.

Hi guys -

Well God has been good to us again. Hurricane Ivan went directly over where
we are and we are still here to talk about it. Many boats sunk many are
blown ashore and some are crushed. Winds were clocked at 150 or better and
hurricane force winds lasted at least 4-5 hours. 50-60 MPH winds for 12
hours after wards. So here's the big question where were we?

On the boat of coarse. We put out three anchors and did not tie up to the
mangrove trees, because we thought it best to swing with the wind as it
changed directions. The boats in the trees (which were most of them) got
tore up pretty bad plus when a boat drug down on them they had no where to
go.

We did have a boat drag down on us ( we stayed firm on our anchors till then
) It was healed clear over and it's mast rode down our backstay, took out
most of our stanchions on our starboard side, Took out three solar panels,
ripped our dingy apart, scratched the boat up and pulled up our two main
anchors each all chain.

We had a fortress on mostly line that ended up holding us. Art had to get
on the helm and motor into the wind till the anchor caught. Not a fun time
for him with the wind blowing 100 mph.

We were in a A1 hurricane hole and 30 out of 50 boats either piled up on
each other or got pushed up on land and two were sunk. Many had holes in
the sides of there boats. The bay we were in before we came to the
hurricane hole ( Prickly Bay) was completely wiped out - not a boat
floating.

Granada is devastated not many buildings ( houses or business) undamaged or
left standing. No phones, no electricity, no cell phone towers the roads
for the most part are unpassable. We heard there are 22 deaths reported so
far but none of them are cruiser that we know of. The houses around us
mostly don't have roofs left.

We feel very fortunate and thank God for our safety. The rides at
Disneyland don't hold a light to being on a sailboat in a category 3 -4
hurricane. If we had to do it again we still would stay with the boat. we
feel that because we were there that our anchors got to reset or we would of
been on the banks with everyone else. The people that went ashore to
Hotels had their big glass doors blown out and watched the roofs blow off
over their heads. This was not just one building but all of them.

For Magic Dragon we talked to some one at St David's that said they thought
your boat was still standing but 30 percent of the boats were knocked over,
the restaurant and IWW is gone there too.. Spice Island Boatyard only had 2
big catamarans left standing.

We didn't sleep much last night because the wind continued to blow all night
after the hurricane with 40- 50 knot gust. So we are tired and going to
bed.

God bless!
Art and PJ

Geoffrey W. Schultz wrote:

I kept my boat in Grenada during the 2001 hurricane season as it was *just*
past 12 degrees and outside of the hurricane belt. I watched with horror
as Ivan struck Grenada head-on and according to the news flattened 90% of
the island. I'm wondering if anyone has any information as to how the boat
yards fared. I was in Prickly Bay Marina which is fairly well protected in
a deep bay compared to St. David's which has no protection. Any
information would be helpful.

Thanks, Geoff