Marine weather forecast for south of Nanaimo predicts 50 knots out of southeast for later today and tonight. Ferry delays and cancellations in effect. Ganges Harbour will be a mess. Put out some extra lines Koliver.
Hey Tom
Thanks for your concerns. Yesterday was moving day. I took my boat from its summer moorage in Long Harbour to better shelter at the Yacht Club docks just up the Harbour. I found a spot facing into the wind and swells and am quite happy with it.
The dock I usually tie to hangs onto a 3 piling Dolphin that sways noticeably in a big swell. Its owner and former occupant, our mutual friend Jim, always moved his GB 42 or whatever he had, to the YC in much of a blow. While I was secure enough there, I don't want to be on that dock if the dolphin gives way.
While moving yesterday the swells in LH were 2 to 3 ft. The outer ends of most of the YC docks were bouncing and twisting enough that you couldn't walk out on them safely, but back 100 feet all was much calmer. Today's storm is expected to peak around 16:00 with sustained winds here of up to 50 knots. We just don't see winds like that very often. Apparently this is generated by a decaying "Super Typhoon Songda" coming in off of the southern Pacific.
There were a few of the boats there that I was concerned enough about to add a line or two, so hopefully there will be no drama whatsoever when the wind peaks.
The last time we had a Typoon of that strength, (actually more) was Oct 13, 1962. I recall it well, as I was a morning newspaper delivery kid out at 04:30 climbing over fallen trees to deliver my load of the Vancouver Province newspaper. Our house in Burnaby lost all of its south facing shingles, as did most of its neighbours. I am not expecting near that amount of drama from this storm.
I hope you have no concerns about your moorage in Sidney. What I have seen of those docks is all good, so as long as the dock keepers are alert your boat should be secure.