Back in the South Pacific cyclone (Hurricane) season of 1982–83 we were avoiding them by spending an extended time in Tahiti aboard our home, an Offshore Sailboat. All available information said the storms would be much further west nearer Tonga and Fiji. Life was splendid. We were tied stern to the quay in downtown Papeete.

One fine morning a young official from the Port Captains office came by very agitated shouting “Big Storm Coming”. Little did we know that this was the start of an eventful few months.

We had 5 systems threaten us and 2 hits at full hurricane force. Both were spent at anchor. The first, in Papeete harbour, struck with the wind breaking from over the mountain peak, going from flat calm to in excess of hurricane force in mere moments. I watched in awe as huge sheets of corrugated steel panels flew through the air as they were ripped from the power station. They were flipping like leaves in a breeze.

The main street across from the quay.We weathered it gaining a new respect for the ferocity of nature.

The second storm

This encounter occurred in Cooks bay on the island of Moorea 12 miles from Tahiti. It hit at category 3. Thirteen hours of sheer terror. I had anchored in a small cove with a sloping sand beach between us and the coral reef beyond.

We were tucked in closer nearer the farthest building on the left

The promontory of land was home to the beach bar of the adjoining luxury resort. To prepare, two 40 pound anchors each on 150 feet of  chain were attached to 90 pounds of lead cannonballs. Another 300 foot single nylon rope continued to the boat. This was in 5 fathoms (30′) of water. All this gear was to keep the anchor in the sand and the line from breaking (the physics of catenary). If it did break or drag we would end up on that nicely sloped beach with a bar nearby. Within the first half hour, the bar had blown away! You could not stand against the wind. Seeing or breathing required a mask and snorkel. The 3/4″ anchor line was stretched to the size of your little finger. I spent most of my time belly down on the foredeck easing out the line during a lull to keep it from chafing through at the bow of the boat. Our anchors held. We returned to Tahiti where we were granted a six month extension on our visas to help in the repair of the 26 sailboats that blew ashore.