Sail Loot Podcast 055: A Sailor’s Story from the Eye of Hurricane Irma; Peter from Where The Coconuts Grow

A normal episode of the Sail Loot Podcast contains tips, advice, and stories about how others have been able to make a living on the water. This episode contains none of that.

This episode is purely to raise awareness about the impact of hurricanes this season on the Caribbean islands.

Peter had to get his wife, Jody, and his 3-month old, Brig, off of Tortola and out of the Caribbean by any means possible, but he had to stay on the island to secure his floating home, S/V Mary Christine.

All souls that remained in the islands were hoping that they eye of hurricane Irma would shift to the North of the British Virgin Islands. That didn’t happen. Tortola sustained a direct hit from hurricane Irma and the eye passed over the house where Peter, 4 of his friends, and his dog, Betsy, took shelter.

This is Peter’s story about surviving hurricane Irma.

Catamaran Beached and Upside Down on Tortola after Irma – credit Christine Perakis

Damaged Boats – credit Caribbean Buzz Helicopters

Sea Cow’s Bay after Hurricane Irma

Tortola Boat Damage

Virgin Gorda Receiving Aid – credit Javier Lopez

Virgin Gorda Supply Boat

A Few Things You’ll Learn about Peter’s Experience through Hurricane Irma:

• Making plans for hurricane season.
• Why Peter, Jody, and Brig couldn’t leave Tortola.
• Having insurance during hurricane season and what that may or may not mean.
• Where they decided to go for hurricane season.
• How they were able to get Jody and Brig off of Tortola prior to hurricane Irma.
• Their specific hurricane plan for their boat insurance.
• Securing S/V Mary Christine, S/V Legato, and the Aristocat Charters Vessels.
• Finding small, secure rooms and making key group decisions to survive through the eye walls of hurricane Irma.
• The aftermath of hurricane Irma and the group’s missions to help those in need.
• Their decision to move from their house in Belmont about 4 days after hurricane Irma.
• All of the help from around the island that Peter didn’t see first hand.
• The outpouring of help, love, and support from the States, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico. Note: Even the poorest island (and one of my favorites), Dominica, donated money, only to be destroyed by Maria a week later. Please don’t forget about Dominica.
• Help with minutes for the satellite phone from Otterbox owners Curt and Nancy Richardson.
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Where The Coconuts Grow
• Where The Coconuts Grow: “Surviving Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria”
• Sailors Helping
• Sailors Helping Facebook Page
• International Rescue Group
• BVI Relief
• Brittany and Scott’s BVI Immediate Relief Fund
• Windtraveler
• #BVISTRONG Gear Shop – Remember the Adventure’s #BVISTRONG gear shop where 100% of the proceeds go to VISAR’S BVI Relief Fund
• BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma Facebook Group
• BVI Relief