Crousey.com

Tsunami in Western Samoa (September 30th, 2009) Constellation rumbled, I jumped out of my bunk at a well practiced speed. I can pull myself up and out with one hand, and be on deck in seconds from a deep sleep… Usually it’s because Constellation is getting slammed or a squall has snuck up at night, and we’re blasting upwind as the windvane struggles, but this was a new sensation… I stood in the cockpit and watched everyone else in the marina doing the same – The marina pylons rumbled, the docks shook. It seemed to last minutes, and then nothing. I meandered around the dock to talk with an Irish singlehander about his trip, thinking a tsunami was unlikely, as did everyone else. Then the alarms sounded, and the streets of Apia began to flood with people, as everyone jumped into any car heading to higher ground. I ran to Constellation, got my passport and wallet, and ran out of the marina. Eddy’s began forming in the marina, as I considered taking Constellation out into the bay… But I knew there was no way my engine could move against that surge. My decision to stay was sound – I would have knocked around the marina in the surge and simply damaged other boats. Two large yachts departed under full engine – They strained, and began to go backwards on the second surge, as Apia harbour began to drain. The surge reversed, and thankfully the boats then rode it out of the channel to safe water. read more