The Climate Prediction Center outlook calls for considerable activity with a 65 percent probability of an above normal season and a 25 percent probability of a near normal season. This means there is a 90 percent chance of a near or above normal season.
When I was on the West Coast, all these hurric
ane predictions might just as well have been discussing distant storms on the planet Jupiter, except in the way it might effect our insurance rates. But now I’m on the East Coast, and out here we take notice. I especially worry about a big storm in July or August, when I’m out at Block Island on board the Water Torture. Block Island is no place to hide if the winds get over about a category 2, and there is no haulout facility for a vessel of Water Torture’s size. If I hope to head to the mainland, I’m faced with two dilemmas. One, most yards reserve their hurricane services for their customers. Two, I would have to spend at least a full day getting over there and hauled out, on the very days that Safe/Sea’s crews should be busy preparing the boats and equipment for a hurricane. So, I hope that the named storms wait until the middle of September, when I’m back on the mainland.
