You can see photos here http:latimesblogs.latime.com/outposts/ scroll down to see the the ones relating to this story.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tragedy on First Day of Bisbee
There were a good number of entries for this year's Bisbee Black & Blue Jackpot Tournament, totaling 94 all together. However, just 30 minutes after the shotgun start a boat was reported as being in trouble. The Bottom Line, 50 ft Hatteras was on fire off of Palmilla and then we heard she had sunk. We know the owner and crew of the Bottom Line well and talked to them when they came back on the rescue boat ....it seems like this was a freak accident. They were running at 35 knots then slowed down to 30 knots, when the captain noticed a sudden drop in power. The gauges were not showing overheating engines, but then they lost all power. Captain T.J Dobson, orginally from Oklahoma but now a naturalized Mexican citizen, put the boat in neutral and told his deckhand to open the engine hatches, which spewed out a cloud of black smoke. T.J immediately called for help on the radio whilst simultaneously grabbing the fire extinguisher. A boat close by "Sneak Attack", sped over and the anglers transferred over. T.J tried to battle the blaze but even the automatic fire safety equipment in the engine room wasn't enough and the smoke was so thick within two minutes that the crew couldn't see anything and had to abandon ship to save their lives. The boat burned furiously and then sank before the eyes of her horrified owner and crew. Owner Mike Menas from Illnois lost his passport, credit card and even his wedding ring and that was just his personal items. This team were dazed, sad and in shock when we saw them a couple of hours after the incident. This was a professional team, the boat was well maintained the captian is one admired by his peers both American and Mexican alike, in fact they just took 2nd place on Sunday in the Bisbee Offshore and first place in last years' Tuna Tournament. They were told that their entries would be refunded but were later told the rules did not allow this. So tomorrow they will be going out again, aboard a boat loaned by a kind hearted local, John Moon , a 50 ft Viking, "Fearless", which we hope they will be. It would be fantastic if they went on to win the the tournament after going through this... .we're pulling for you guys.
You can see photos here http:latimesblogs.latime.com/outposts/ scroll down to see the the ones relating to this story.
You can see photos here http:latimesblogs.latime.com/outposts/ scroll down to see the the ones relating to this story.
Someone is Watching Out for Us
Wednesday Oct 21st 5.45 PM
Everybody breathed a sigh of relief to see the back of Hurricane Rick. Lives, boats and homes were safe and as if to prove it a beautiful rainbow was seen in the sky....this photo shows an incredible scene of the rainbow, touching down on the cross set upon the aptly name Hill of the Cross looking over the working class neighborhood of 4 de Marzo . I just happened to glance over my shoulder on the way home from work and slammed on the brakes when I saw this, jumped out of the car and blindly snapped a couple of pictures. I couldn't see a thing with the glare in my eyes, but the result was very cool.
Tracy Ehrenberg
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Bye Bye Rick
Monday October 20th, 7.22 PM
After a stressful few days of uncertainty we are now saying goodbye to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Rick...Cabo was once again spared a powerful storm and we did not even get Tropical Storm conditions, but we really appreciate the rain. As usual when there are clouds we had an incredible sunset...wish you were here but a lot of people cancelled....sigh, well somebody has to stay here and take these photos of the beautiful sunset we had tonight.
Hurricane Rick Update No #7
Tuesday October 20th 9.38 AM
Thankfully the track of what is now Tropical Storm Rick has moved further south, leaving Cabo just on the edge of the cone of the storm. Nevertheless it has been raining softly since 7.00 pm last night. We did get heavier rain around 3.00 AM but right now it has slowed to consistent, soft rain, no wind and partly cloudy. No waves to speak of on the Pacific but the Cortez side is another story. It is not the height of the waves which is a problem, even though they are at times as big as ten feet, but rather the surge, after the wave breaks, which is going all the way up the beaches to the footings of hotels on the main beach. Yesterday afternoon a 16 year old Mexican boy was swept into the sea on Medano Beach when he was too close to the waves and was drowned. The town is in good but soggy shape and the storm should be at its' closest poing by 11.00 pm tonight. We expect to be fishing Thursday or Friday.
Thankfully the track of what is now Tropical Storm Rick has moved further south, leaving Cabo just on the edge of the cone of the storm. Nevertheless it has been raining softly since 7.00 pm last night. We did get heavier rain around 3.00 AM but right now it has slowed to consistent, soft rain, no wind and partly cloudy. No waves to speak of on the Pacific but the Cortez side is another story. It is not the height of the waves which is a problem, even though they are at times as big as ten feet, but rather the surge, after the wave breaks, which is going all the way up the beaches to the footings of hotels on the main beach. Yesterday afternoon a 16 year old Mexican boy was swept into the sea on Medano Beach when he was too close to the waves and was drowned. The town is in good but soggy shape and the storm should be at its' closest poing by 11.00 pm tonight. We expect to be fishing Thursday or Friday.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Hurricane Rick Update #6
Monday Oct. 19, 8.43 pm
Hurricane Rick continues to turn more toward the Mexican mainland and is projected to pass just to the south of Cabo. Winds are now down to 85 MPH and it is moving NNW at 7 MPH. A hurricane watch still remains in effect for Cabo at this time. Here are some images from today...the smallish waves on the Pacific, the calm in the marina and the slightly flooded Pabellon Cultural or Cultural Center being constructed behind our building, in what used to be the biggest free parking lot in town.
Hurricane Rick Update #5
Monday October 19th, 3.21 PM
Hurricane Rick is taking it's time....and we can feel a change in the air; it is not as humid and there are some patches of blue sky, peeking through the clouds. Rick continues to decrease in strength as the outer westerly edge hits dry air and maximum winds at this time are 100 MPH, located 325 miles from Cabo. The waves on the Cortez side are still big but they are actually smaller now on the Pacific, than they were this morning, a clear sign that the storm is turning towards the mainland and will probably skirt Cabo giving us Tropical Storm type weather, rather than a hurricane, which is great news. The Bisbee Tournament set to start on Wedenesday will be postponed with fishing taking place Thursday and Friday. Here is the latest photo from our office where you can see that the weather is a bit brighter.
Hurricane Rick Update #4
Monday October 19th, 1.14 pm
Hurricane Rick has weakened and winds are now at a maximum of 105 MPH. After a dry morning it has just start raining pretty heavily...but there is no wind. It is hard to see the cruise ship clearly (see photo) that is in port. A note to our clients...the port will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday but will probably open Thursday October 22nd best case scenario and Friday October 23rd at the latest. Yes, we are having a hurricane, which is weakening, but there is no need to cancel unless you are fishing on Wedenesday or Thursday. Fishing is usually great after a storm and the sun comes out in no time. If you want to reschedule please phone or email us. In regard to boats being pulled out; this is something we like to do as a precaution so that the crews can sleep well and be with their families. Boats go back in the water the day after the storm.
We will keep you updated
Hurricane Rick Update #3
Monday October 19th, 8.13 AM
Between 6.30 and 7. 20 am this morning we had a taste of what is to come. Heavy rain fell for awhile and wind picked up to about 25 MPH, with some thunder and more lightening. We all thought "wow it's here already"...but this was just an isolated outer thunderstorm. Right now threre is not a puff of wind, it is not raining and seas on the Pacific are around 5 feet. We are still working on trying to get out boats out of the water.
Between 6.30 and 7. 20 am this morning we had a taste of what is to come. Heavy rain fell for awhile and wind picked up to about 25 MPH, with some thunder and more lightening. We all thought "wow it's here already"...but this was just an isolated outer thunderstorm. Right now threre is not a puff of wind, it is not raining and seas on the Pacific are around 5 feet. We are still working on trying to get out boats out of the water.
Hurricane Rick Update #2
Monday October 19th, 5.50 AM
As of the last advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Rick is currently located 365 miles to the SSW of Cabo with winds of 125 MPH winds, which means it is a category three, additional weaking is predicted over the next day and the forward motion has now slowed to 10 mph. A Hurricane Watch has now been issued for Southern Baja, which means hurricane conditions are "likely" in the next 24 to 36 hours. So at this stage they are not 100% sure if the hurricane will hit Cabo directly. The storm is expected to turn more to the right and thenturn more NNE, or the way I look at it, towards the right and mainland Mexico. From what I see on the map and stormpulse.com they have the red line a little below Cabo, but not by much, whereas yesterdy in the morning they had it directly on top of us...so that's a glimmer of some better news. Right now there are lightening flashes every few seconds or so, far out to sea, it' too dark to see the waves but we can hear them and they sound big. With every flash of lightening it's as if Rick is saying "I'm coming" in a menacing way. The port has just been closed. We would like to pull our smaller boats out, BUT due to roadworks the main boat ramp in town is closed and all the streets are up in the downtown area, we are now on a mission to see how to make this happen. It has just started to rain quite heavily and the wind is picking up.
As of the last advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Rick is currently located 365 miles to the SSW of Cabo with winds of 125 MPH winds, which means it is a category three, additional weaking is predicted over the next day and the forward motion has now slowed to 10 mph. A Hurricane Watch has now been issued for Southern Baja, which means hurricane conditions are "likely" in the next 24 to 36 hours. So at this stage they are not 100% sure if the hurricane will hit Cabo directly. The storm is expected to turn more to the right and thenturn more NNE, or the way I look at it, towards the right and mainland Mexico. From what I see on the map and stormpulse.com they have the red line a little below Cabo, but not by much, whereas yesterdy in the morning they had it directly on top of us...so that's a glimmer of some better news. Right now there are lightening flashes every few seconds or so, far out to sea, it' too dark to see the waves but we can hear them and they sound big. With every flash of lightening it's as if Rick is saying "I'm coming" in a menacing way. The port has just been closed. We would like to pull our smaller boats out, BUT due to roadworks the main boat ramp in town is closed and all the streets are up in the downtown area, we are now on a mission to see how to make this happen. It has just started to rain quite heavily and the wind is picking up.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Hurricane Rick Update #1
Sunday, October 18th, 2009 4.23 pm
We have begun to get phone calls from alarmed clients concerned about what is on the news in regard to Hurricane Rick. At this moment in time we say it is too early to tell. Right now it is stifling, hot, humid weather. Seas were dead calm this morning but we now have big waves, some crashing half way up the arch, but the port is open and boats are fishing. The storm is currently about 500 miles from Cabo and has weakened slightly, it still very strong, with winds of 160 mph, making it a category 5. It is moving towards the WNW at 14 mph, the forecast track has is passing over Cabo late Tuesday night....BUT neither a hurricane watch or warning has been called for as of yet. The hurricane is expected to weaken further as it approachs land but it must be monitored closely. Pisces will make a decision tomorrow as to whether we pull our boats our or not, that is all of trailerable size, up to 31 feet. We will keep a very close eye on this and update the blog regularly.
Tracy Ehrenberg
We have begun to get phone calls from alarmed clients concerned about what is on the news in regard to Hurricane Rick. At this moment in time we say it is too early to tell. Right now it is stifling, hot, humid weather. Seas were dead calm this morning but we now have big waves, some crashing half way up the arch, but the port is open and boats are fishing. The storm is currently about 500 miles from Cabo and has weakened slightly, it still very strong, with winds of 160 mph, making it a category 5. It is moving towards the WNW at 14 mph, the forecast track has is passing over Cabo late Tuesday night....BUT neither a hurricane watch or warning has been called for as of yet. The hurricane is expected to weaken further as it approachs land but it must be monitored closely. Pisces will make a decision tomorrow as to whether we pull our boats our or not, that is all of trailerable size, up to 31 feet. We will keep a very close eye on this and update the blog regularly.
Tracy Ehrenberg
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