The East Coast of California, also known as The BVI (British Virgin Islands) got a rough hurricane season wake-up call, yesterday and last night. Hurricane Earl quickly powered up from a Category 2 hurricane as it passed East of Antigua, to a Category 4 hurricane as it came perilously close to Anegada.

With very little time to prepare, many residents and visitors to that part of the Caribbean were caught off guard and unprepared. Now, the US East Coast has anywhere from 2-4 days to make preparations and they would do well to go through the exercise.

Radar showing BVI & Anguilla inside the eyewall of Earl @ approx 5pm EST 8/30

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Tags: 2010, antigua, august, bvi, earl, hurricane

As sailors in the Santa Barbara Channel we all have a good opportunity to spot whales when out on our sailing adventures here in Southern California. In the Winter the Gray Whales migrate first South and then North. In the Summer you will find the Blue Whales as well as Humpbacks. Not as common to see but still in our waters you might see Minke, Sperm, and Pilot Whales. The legendary Orcas are here as well with the increased populations of seals and sea lions.

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Tags: santa barbara channel, whales

With tall ships Tole Mour and Talofa both in port here, perhaps changing out crews, I also saw a large catamaran come into our fair harbor the other day. When riding my bike last night on my regular tour, I found Profligate tied up to the PCYC visitor dock! It’s the first time I’ve seen her here.

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Tags: catamaran, channel islands harbor, profligate