The Tsunami Two-Step

We woke this morning and we were informed by the VHF net that there was an earthquake in Chile and a Tsunami was on the way here.  We remembered the damage caused in 2004 in Indonesia and we quickly headed out to sea. We made it to deep water (about 75 feet) before the wave was due to hit before 9 AM.  We motored and drifted around for a couple of hours until the danger passed.  We didn’t see anything and came back in after everyone concluded the danger was passed.  We heard later the wave that hit Panama was less than 1 foot.  There must have been more than 100 boats that raced out to sea to protect their homes.  We were all collectively relieved that it turned out to be a minor event here.

The massive earthquake measuring 8.8 magnitude struck off the coast of Chile in the early hours of the morning and was one of the biggest earthquakes that ever occurred anywhere in over a century.  The Chile earthquake has caused immense damage and is said to be 80 times more devastating than the Haiti earthquake that took place last month.

The magnitude of the earthquake was so bad that there were 3 meter tall tidal waves that hit the Robinson Crusoe Islands, and there were also fears that there would be a tsunami in Hawaii and across the Pacific.

I later read that a wave had already reached New Zealand.  Apparently the waves travel faster than a jet plane.  Since that same trip will take us most of this year, maybe we need to re-think this boat thing.  I suppose that while riding a Tsunami might get us there fast, we might miss some sightseeing along the way!

To all our dear readers that wrote to us, Emily Grace and her crew are safe and sound.

Tom