Remnants of Ivan Deliver Stormy Blast in Weekend of High Winds,
Heavy Seas

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

The remains of one of the worst hurricanes of the year came up from
the south and brought severe weather across the Island over the weekend.
A 36-foot power boat was destroyed on Saturday when it broke from its
mooring in the Vineyard Haven outer harbor and was thrown against the
breakwater in heavy seas.

Two other boats were grounded in the area. In Edgartown two boats
were grounded and a third sank at its dock.

The storm came in two parts. Meteorologists described it as a merger
between the remnants of Hurricane Ivan coming up from the south and a
cold front approaching from the northwest. Separately, each weather
event was insignificant, but together they packed a punch.

The remaining moisture from the tropical system brought sheets of
rain for most of the late morning and early afternoon on Saturday. Cool
air moved in from the west, releasing more energy.

The storm had all the hallmarks of a coastal northeaster. Among
other things, a number of outdoor weddings were forced indoors.

Rain fell from late morning until about 3 p.m.; the National Weather
Service cooperative station recorded almost 1.5 inches of rainfall.

Phil Hale, president of Martha's Vineyard Shipyard, said the
waves in Vineyard Haven harbor were bigger than he has seen in years.
"The waves were a solid eight feet high. They were
enormous," he said.

David Richardson and his wife Ellen lost their family boat in the
storm. The 36-foot trawler-style boat named Avonlea was snug at its
mooring in the outer harbor on Friday, but on Saturday the boat broke
loose. Mr. Richardson said he did not have the correct gear to anchor
the vessel in Lagoon Pond, so he decided to let it stay at the mooring.
The decision cost him his boat, and the Avonlea perished on the
breakwater in the outer harbor.

Mr. Hale went out late in the afternoon on the shipyard's
26-foot power work boat Titan. "It was rough," he said.

On Monday John Packer was scheduled to salvage the remains of the
Avonlea. Mr. Richardson has owned the vessel since September of 2001.

Paul Fantasia of Oak Bluffs also found his 27-foot Soling
Grasshopper in trouble on Saturday morning. The boat was anchored just
off the Packer Wharf, and Mr. Fantasia watched as the boat dragged
anchor in high seas. "I tried to get out there with a dinghy but
couldn't," he said. The Soling was tossed up on the sand
near Beach Road.

Oak Bluffs harbor master Todd Alexander said most of his visiting
boats did well.

Edgartown harbor master Charlie Blair said a 30-foot boat named
Odyssey washed up near the Chappaquiddick Beach Club. "It is
stupid to leave a boat unattended. It is uttermost stupidity," Mr.
Blair said. He said the vessel was anchored in the Edgartown outer
harbor but could have easily been brought into the harbor and put on a
mooring. He said the owner chose to do nothing and the result was
costly.

A small boat at the Katama narrows sank at its dock. A 29-foot Sea
Ray power boat washed up on the shore of Katama Bay.

Mr. Blair said Nick Van Nes of West Tisbury called him days before
the storm for permission to bring his 105-foot sloop from Vineyard Haven
into Edgartown inner harbor. It proved to be a smart move for the owner.

The storm damaged some farm crops, including a large stand of young
corn at Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown that was toppled by wind and
rain. "Hopefully the plants will come back," said farm owner
Debbie Athearn.

Saturday business was light at the farmers' market in West
Tisbury. "We sent 15 bushels to the farmers' market and only
sold five," Ms. Athearn said.

Ferry service between the Vineyard and Woods Hole saw no
interruptions except for the freight ferry Governor, which canceled two
round trips.

There were some cancellations on the Nantucket run.

On Sunday morning the skies cleared but the wind had yet to quit.

The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby annual
kids' derby, scheduled for early Sunday morning, was canceled
because of high seas at the Steamship Authority wharf. "We held
off to the very end," said contest organizer Cooper A. Gilkes 3rd.
"But you could tell, no way. There were six-foot rollers coming
in," he added.

The kids' derby was rescheduled for next Saturday morning.

On Sunday two board sailors had a great time speeding across the
waves in Nantucket Sound off State Beach. Jamie Douglas of Vineyard
Haven was out with his brother Morgan. "It was ideal windsurfing
weather for the experienced," Mr. Douglas said. "This is
what the fall brings to us, a steady strong breeze."