TROPICAL cyclones are a common
occurrence in Queensland during, and
even occasionally out of, the cyclone season.
They mostly form from lows within the
monsoon trough with the season officially
starting on November 1 and running through
to April. Our deadliest weather event occurred
in March 1899 when Cyclone Mahina from the
Coral Sea converged with Cyclone Nachon from
the Arafura Sea and hit a pearling f leet north
of Cooktown in Bathurst Bay. It caused a huge
storm surge with 307 known fatalities.
In more recent times Larry and Yasi ran down
the North Queensland coast on their courses
of destruction but many lessons learned since
1899 seem to have paid dividends. In March
this year, as a low formed in the Coral Sea,
boaties in the northern regions watched in
dreaded anticipation. Should they start making
preparations?
The answer to that question is a resounding
“yes”. All boats in a cyclone area should be
prepared at the beginning of cyclone season.
Debbie's power increased and she was
declared a category 4 cyclone. She finally
reached the Whitsundays where winds over
200 kilometres an hour lashed Hamilton Island
for nearly 24 hours, peaking at 263kph and
destroying much in her path. By the time she
reached the mainland at Airlie her winds
had only reduced to 247km an hour.
Sails were shredded; masts
snapped; boats ripped from
moorings and marina
pontoons broke
away taking boats
with them.
Horizontal rain cut vision; howling wind
buffeted everything in its way; cladding was
ripped from homes and businesses; sheets of
tin were sent barrelling down the main street
of Bowen. Still Debbie continued to unleash
her fury as she slowly smashed her way
through the area.
There were many boat owners who
took shelter at Abell Point Marina for the
duration of TC Debbie. Kerryanne (Kat) and
John Wilkie were just one couple who had
evacuated their f loating home. They left their
Wharram catamaran, Katfish, in the marina
after doing all they could to secure her,
taking refuge with friends in an overlooking
unit. From there they had a good but
disturbing vantage point to watch Debbie’s
progress until the ferocity of the storm
became too much and the cyclone shutters
had to be closed. All they could do then was
sit inside waiting and listening.
Also staying in the apartment were the unit
owners, Margaret and Norm from Wet Bar which
was safely berthed on the Gold Coast; Anthony
from Liquid Desire; and Ray and Fiona, from the
apartment next door who owned Mon Ami. Both
those boats were on the marina.
To keep spirits up these seven yachties held
a ‘cyclone party’ on the Sunday night, until
they lost power at 11pm. Despite no power,
no running water and no working toilets they
managed to keep a positive outlook which is
important in these situations.
Erica Lang and her partner Andy also left
their yacht, Ovedie, in the marina and sheltered
in the toilet block for two days, venturing out
occasionally to check the situation.15
http://www.mysailing.com.auMany thanks must go to Jamie MacPhail, managing director and Michaela Backes,
operations–finance, at Pantaenius Australia for the assistance they gave me, never
begrudging their time or assistance in compiling information and all done in the
friendliest of manners.
Also to Joscelyn O’Keefe, marketing and business development manager at Abell
Point Marina; plus Ben Anderson, marina manager at Mackay Marina. Despite the
huge clean-up job ahead of them and a shortage of time, they were both happy to
answer my questions and assist with the article.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS