Last Sunday (31 May) certainly made its presence known, delivering a solid mix of storm surge and gale-force winds that kept everyone on their toes. While it was a big weather kind of day, it’s safe to say our marina and community handled it exceptionally well. If you missed the 2001 or 2012 storms, consider this your introduction, thankfully with a much better outcome, as tides stayed below the 2012 record and winds were far less destructive than those seen in 2001.

Throughout the day, operations remained calm, coordinated, and under control. Assistant Harbour Master Cameron Oaten maintained a steady watch onsite, with Harbour Master Sam Blackburn and Facilities & Projects Manager Andrew Raven stepping in during the peak of the storm to provide additional support right when it counted.

And then there were our members, quiet achievers of the day. So many of you got ahead of the weather, securing your vessels early and helping prevent issues before they had a chance to start. Even better, a number of members jumped in to lend a hand during the event, proving once again how strong this community really is.

If there’s a hero of the day, it’s preparation. Vessels that were well set up beforehand handled the conditions beautifully.

As we head deeper into storm season, here are a few friendly reminders to keep things running smoothly:

• Tidy up the extras: Sails, covers, biminis, halyards, and loose gear can all catch the wind. Secure them early.
• Check your lines: A quick check now can save a lot of stress later. Make sure they’re in good condition and adjustable.
• Beat the rush: Getting down early makes all the difference. Things get tricky fast once conditions turn.
• Have a backup plan: If you’re away, make sure someone local can keep an eye on things for you.

With calmer conditions returning, cleanup is now underway and we’re pleased to report things are looking remarkably tidy considering what rolled through.

Best of all, no injuries were reported, which is always the most important outcome.

Thank you to everyone who prepared early and assisted where needed. Your proactive approach helped ensure the marina remained safe and well managed throughout the event.