Mar 02 2010
After action report – Tsunami in Ventura – a view from the docks
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From: Rob Walton, Capt. S/V R Escape
I fully agree with the plan for “next time” but being one of those who was on a boat in the harbor I’d like to relate what a “goat roping” this event was.
We awoke aboard Saturday morning to predicted scattered showers and possible t-storms. Sailing was most likely not in the cards, but there were plenty of boat projects to keep us busy. We poured a cup of joe and turned on the t.v. to catch up on the news. The earthquake in Chile was the lead story.
In short order the VHF came alive with CG sector L.A. broadcasting the Tsunami warning…or was it a watch at that point? Either way there seemed to be no detectable concern and as is the norm the voice on the other end seemed quite bored with the announcement duty. As best I can recall the “wave” was predicted to arrive around 1230 hrs and the surge was estimated 1′ – 2′. That didn’t seem to be anything to be alarmed about, so we went about our normal Saturday morning.
It was close to 1200 hrs when I first heard the new revised broadcast. It had changed from “Tsunami Warning” to “Imminent Tsunami” and the 1′-2′ was now was 8′-10′. T
The CG also warned mariners to stay off of beaches & jetties, out of harbors and to seek “safe haven.”
The radio came alive; “So are you saying to get out of the harbor?” some anonymous Captain asked.
Sector L.A. replied “Please stand by” followed by a disturbingly long pause…they didn’t know what to tell us! The revised announcement was repeated, no further instructions were given and Sector LA went quiet.
Ventura Harbor Patrol finally broke the silence and instructed anyone in the Harbor to stay put and consult their marina managers.
Whaaaat? Being a student of Sail Channel Islands and working on my graduate degree in “Ole Sea Dogness” I instantly knew what a horrible piece of advice that was – our marina’s only concerns are slip fees, registration and insurance compliance. Tsunami’s, water spouts, disasters natural and man-made as well as rampaging mothers-in-law are outside of their field of view.
By this time, it was much too late for us to get underway and out to deep water, but the question remained: should we leave the boat and head for the safety of … the parking lot?
I’ll admit at this point I phoned Captain Dan and told him what was going on. We both agreed that most likely very little will happen but to be on the safe side, close up the boat and go for a walk – away from the beach! We did just that and as we now know not much happened.except for the fishing boat who sped out of the harbor at full speed but that’s another story.
So what’s the moral of this story? Follow the Captain’s advice: head to sea or meet him in Ojai. I believe you’ll find him in the first bar on the right.
R. Harvey
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