Wind warnings in Prince Rupert
I just returned from teaching a non-pleasure powerboat course in Prince Rupert. On Thursday night as we were returning to the harbor after completing a night navigation exercise Prince Rupert Coast Guard issued a safety broadcast advising all vessels in the harbor to have a second anchor ready to let go and to have their engines at Standby. Winds of 50 km/hr were forecast. There were two large freighters anchored in the harbor. Last night, Sunday, I had dinner at "La Gondola" overlooking the harbor with one freighter directly in front of the restaurant. Her anchor chain was tight and you could see her swinging in the gusts. Occasionally water was being lifted off the surface by small waterspouts. The forecast was for winds up to 90 km/hr and the gusts were peaking at 63 km/hr according to the reports on TV. It gives you a real appreciation for the professional mariners who crew these vessels.