Closely monitored
In spite of being down here since 2010, there are still a few of the larger Caribbean islands that we have yet to set foot on. Nevis was one of them but now, our 3rd season in this area, we have checked that one off the list. Montserrat is another island that we have sailed by numerous times but have yet to stop at. Hopefully we’ll be able to rectify that situation later today.
Yesterday, we checked out of Nevis with customs and immigration, removed the engine from the dinghy, and in a few moments time, will be setting sail towards Montserrat. Did you know that this island had a massive volcanic eruption as recently as 1995? This is what wikipedia has to say about it:
On 18 July 1995, the previously dormant Soufrière Hills volcano became active. Eruptions destroyed Montserrat’s Georgian era capital city of Plymouth and two-thirds of the island’s population was forced to flee. The volcanic activity continues to the present, the affected areas currently being mostly in the vicinity of Plymouth, including its docking facilities, and also on the eastern side of the island in the area around the former W. H. Bramble Airport, the remnants of which were buried by flows from volcanic activity on 11 February 2010.
An “exclusion zone” extending from the south coast of the island north to parts of the Belham Valley has been imposed because of the size of the existing volcanic dome and the resulting potential for pyroclastic activity. Visitors are generally not permitted entry into the exclusion zone, but an impressive view of the destruction of Plymouth can be seen from the top of Garibaldi Hill in Isles Bay. Relatively quiet since early 2010, the volcano continues to be closely monitored by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.
Closely monitored? Yeah, let’s keep that up!
Safe passage my friends, come back soon – we shall miss you! doing Nevis Peak tomorrow.
Wishing you fair winds, slight seas and deep water!
A
Have fun on that hike. We’ll be back and you can take us with you next time.
As for the fair winds and slight seas… better luck next time.
Plymouth used to have one of those crappy dingy docks (block of broken up concrete) that was a nightmare when the surge was heavy, which of course was most of the time.
Friends of mines parents lost their vacation home and I still wonder of the young family I met as I was leaving the Caribbean (91), who were all excited about there acre of land they had just purchased to build a new life. The three very blonde children would be in their late twenties now, Reef, Sand and Moon.
Nice names. Hippies. 🙂
Safe passage and following seas…..at least mild seas…
What is the weather forecast and seas today?
Fred
It matters not what the forecast is/was. It never pans out that way. 🙁
You probably don’t want to hike to the bottom of this volcano! 🙂
To the bottom? No.
Thanks for the great blog, we plan to follow in your tracks in a few months. Here’s a good website for the volcano: http://www.mvo.ms/
We’ll post details for you on our blog.
I bet that’s one peak that you guys won’t be climbing!
Cheers!
I wish they’d let us.
Safe trip!
Did you remember to turn on your SPOT?
Eric
We remembered but the batteries were dead. 🙁
Check another one off the list! You must almost be done now 😉
What system/program/site are you using to generate this chart & route graphic (including true bearings and distances)?
I thought it was Active Captain but when I checked they don’t have nautical charts available at that zoom level nor do they offer true bearing in their routing functionality.
Safe passage.
The image is a cropped screen capture from our computer charting application, Polar View.
http://www.polarnavy.com/
I worked with a company that helped place science instruments on Montserrat to monitor the volcano! May you have smooth seas.
That’s cool. Sadly though, the seas were anything but smooth!
Wow, I get lost in the Boston news for a week and today was catching up with y’all and dad gummit, you’re going to get paid to keep doing what you’re doing?
I have got to get out of this office before it kills me.
I’ll volunteer to ZTC sit if you’d rather save some $$ and let her sit at anchor….just don’t tell my wife…lol!
Doesn’t she read our blog? 😉
One of my best friend’s parents bought their retirement home on Montserrat. It didn’t work out so well.
Bummer.