Abaco Freedom
09-13-2004, 08:53 AM
It has been one heck of a month!
The first week in August my wife & I took over the Cruising Hotel boat in Marsh Harbour - which is now known as "Abaco Freedom" - Charter Cruising Vacations. There were LOTS of problems with the boat that we are still working through but that process was interupted by Hurricane Frances. After consulting with many people, we decided to ride out the rage anchored in MH. We set 4 anchors in the area between Jib Room and Port of Call Marina and tried to batten down everything. Debbie & I moved over to Abaco Beach Resort and prayed that after Frances passed we would have a home to return to.
During the storm, the boat took on water over the bow and there was about 3 feet of water in the forward hull compartment - but the engine room stayed dry. We sustained some relatively minor damage on the upper deck (now mostly repaired) and water damage to the interior carpets. However, our slip at Port of Call Marina was wiped out by an old sailboat that crashed into the dock during the height of the storm.
All in all, our damage was minimal and we feel very lucky as many people lost their boats or had significant damage to their homes and businesses. Unlike many others, we were able to start the generators and had power and water almost immediately after the storm. Since then, we have had several friends staying onboard while they work on salvaging their boats. If there is anything else we can do to help, please let us know (242) 357-6966.
We would like to thank a vast number of people who helped us through Frances. Although I can't possible name everyone, special thanks goes to Uncle Bob (Florida Yacht Charters) for his advice and Andrew (Andrew's Electric) for his exhaustive work and support. Also, we thought that virtually all the commercial services in MH, (hardware stores, internet providers, etc.) did a fabulous job in keeping everyone supplied right up to the start of the rage, and getting everyone operational as soon as possible afterwards.
As newcomers to the Abacos, we know that we simply would not have made it through the hurricane without the help and support of many good people. Thank you. Thank you, Thank you!!!
Wayne & Debbie Pearce
Abaco Freedom
The first week in August my wife & I took over the Cruising Hotel boat in Marsh Harbour - which is now known as "Abaco Freedom" - Charter Cruising Vacations. There were LOTS of problems with the boat that we are still working through but that process was interupted by Hurricane Frances. After consulting with many people, we decided to ride out the rage anchored in MH. We set 4 anchors in the area between Jib Room and Port of Call Marina and tried to batten down everything. Debbie & I moved over to Abaco Beach Resort and prayed that after Frances passed we would have a home to return to.
During the storm, the boat took on water over the bow and there was about 3 feet of water in the forward hull compartment - but the engine room stayed dry. We sustained some relatively minor damage on the upper deck (now mostly repaired) and water damage to the interior carpets. However, our slip at Port of Call Marina was wiped out by an old sailboat that crashed into the dock during the height of the storm.
All in all, our damage was minimal and we feel very lucky as many people lost their boats or had significant damage to their homes and businesses. Unlike many others, we were able to start the generators and had power and water almost immediately after the storm. Since then, we have had several friends staying onboard while they work on salvaging their boats. If there is anything else we can do to help, please let us know (242) 357-6966.
We would like to thank a vast number of people who helped us through Frances. Although I can't possible name everyone, special thanks goes to Uncle Bob (Florida Yacht Charters) for his advice and Andrew (Andrew's Electric) for his exhaustive work and support. Also, we thought that virtually all the commercial services in MH, (hardware stores, internet providers, etc.) did a fabulous job in keeping everyone supplied right up to the start of the rage, and getting everyone operational as soon as possible afterwards.
As newcomers to the Abacos, we know that we simply would not have made it through the hurricane without the help and support of many good people. Thank you. Thank you, Thank you!!!
Wayne & Debbie Pearce
Abaco Freedom