Surviving storms in Scilly
The Isles of Scilly are lovely but have no harbours or anchorages with all-round shelter, so visiting yachts must be prepared to move around according to wind direction. If a gale is forecast, some pilotage guidance even recommends retreating to the mainland. Most yacht crews ignore that advice because, after working to reach Scilly against the prevailing winds, they are reluctant to surrender their westing. That leaves the option of finding somewhere safe to hide.
When Storm Evert hit the islands in peak holiday season in July 2021, large numbers of yachts were in the islands. Numerous boats dragged anchors, broke free of moorings or went aground, though many more weathered the storm unscathed. Piecing together the events of the night, and the possible causes of the events that unfolded, make it a fascinating case study of anchoring and mooring tactics that might
