PREPARING FOR HURRICANE BILL

It's early Saturday morning and a light breeze gently carries the Maple Leaf.

All is normal in Mill Cove with perhaps a few more boats moored to ride out the hurricane.

This duck did not seem the least bit concerned.

Boats were being hauled fast and furiously at the public launch ramp on Water St.


The storm watchers.

Here's a test for the recently dredged Peninsula Canal at dead low tide.

Barely making it on the west side.


Portaging the rest of the way on the east side. About a month ago this move would have been impossible.

The last Bluenose Class sloop is lifted out.

Shawn Mulrooney of Windward Yacht Services can finally smile.

All hands help to trailer the little sloop.

The Front Harbour is getting quite bare.


We get a ride out to Windward's tow boat with local sailor Mike Smith as he readies his fleet for the storm.
Sean Mulrooney with Whiskey Girl in tow.

CYC Fleet Captain Warren Barkhouse steers Whiskey Girl on the tow to the Back Harbour.


Whiskey Girl gets tucked in for the night.

Aug. 23'rd sunrise at Freda's Beach. It looks more like October than August considering the number of boats that are left.

Turning west it is business as usual in the sheltered Back Harbour.

The CYC Visitor's dock has been unhooked and tied off for safety.

The wind is starting to pick up.

CYC is bleak and bare as it sits prepared to ride out Hurricane Bill.

The Front Harbour as seen from Pig Loop Road is almost empty.

Aug.22-23'rd,Chester--------------------The light wind and warm sunny weather may have fooled some but the sailors and mariners around Chester were not taking any chances with the threat of damage from Hurricane Bill. For the past 2 1/2 days Sean Mulrooney hauled out 50 boats. He estimates other businesses pulled out another 70 t0 100 boats. Over 100 more were moved to safer and more sheltered moorings and coves. So far the storm does not seem so severe but it is better to be safe than sorry. Especially with expensive and in some cases rare and one of a kind watercraft.