Amel Super Maramu 2000

Improvising fenders Early October 2015, when Hurricane Joaquin developed, I went to Atlantis Marina in Nassau, Bahamas. As Hurricane Joaquin passed over Crooked Island and Long Island, it intensify to a Category 4 and became the strongest Atlantic Hurricane of non tropical origine. As it turn over Rum Cay, Hurricane Joaquin passed 160 NM ESE from New Providence, and 40 or 50 kt of wind were not a factor in the well protected Atlantis Marina. Therefore I made the mistake to leave a day too soon. The wind had decreased to 30 kt, coming from the West allowing me to sail on the southern (safest) route through Yellow Banks, cut through Highborne Cay Cut then head to Staniel Cay. As I arrived, only the fuel dock was open. I used all the fenders and fender boards I had, but the West wind was still strong, squeezing the air out of the fenders, so had to use anything I could to protect the boat which included: dinghy (Type 3) life jacket, Type 4 (throwable) flotation devices, etc. I still had 6 Type 1 in reserve. After that, I had stronger/longer fender boards made and use larger fenders.