Good Day,
It is Dec. 17th, 10:00am, and for the past two days Vuda Point Marina has been a beehive of activity. We have all been following Tropical Cyclone Evan very closely and preparing for the worst. TC Evan is a category 4 cyclone now, it was a cat 2 when it hit Samoa and caused much damage and a couple deaths, I think Katrina was a cat 4 as well. The marina has strict preperation requirements that all boats must adhere to. I have reduced windage on Messalina as much as possible, this means stripping the boat of everything that can catch wind. All sails are stowed including the main sail, I took the boom right off and stored it below, the dodger is off, solar panel is down below as well as my dinghy. Also extra lines have been put out, all boats are moored stern to, I have four stern lines all to different tie off points, two are to railway ties they have driven deep into the ground a ways on shore. Chain is used to run over the land. The marina is circular and in the centre there is a massive concrete block with attachment points, all boats have detached there anchors and run the anchor chain to this block in addition to the other bow lines to mooring balls. Currently it is raining and the wind is at about 25knots, originally the weather trackers predicted the eye would pass to the west of us but it seems now to be moving closer than they predicted. TC Evan is moving faster then when it hit Samoa which is good, Samoa was hit for a couple days and they are suggesting more like 10 hours for us. It is predicted to hit the area I am in around 12:00. I will try and keep you updated although if the cyclone passes close most services will probably go down so I am not sure if the cell network I get internet through will be available. Like the heading of yesterdays paper said, "Pray for Fiji," (quote from a Samoan.)