The Virginian Pilot reported several distress calls and a helicopter evacuation from participants in the Salty Dawg Rally in rough weather off Virginia Beach and North Carolina within the first 36 hours of their journeys. Ralliers depart from various East Coast points, including Hampton, VA, and head to the Caribbean.
According to the Salty Dawg website: "A strong front was forecast to pass over the mouth of the Chesapeake on the 4th and 5th, so many skippers, heeding the advice of weather router Chris Parker, decided to start on Wednesday the 6th while others delayed their departures until the 7 and 8 . Defying the weather models, the front slowed and grew more intense as it passed over the bulk of the SDR fleet on Wednesday night and Thursday.
"While it was rough out there and the Gulf Stream showed augmented current speeds, the vast majority of the boats and crews got through the first night in good shape and are now south of the Stream and on their way to the B.V.I."
Find the link to the story here.
As of now, no serious injuries are reported except for an arm injury. We will keep readers posted. Be safe out there, friends. Fair winds.
