Maldague has been at anchor off the island of Saint Martin for a few weeks now. His crossing from Jamaica had caused some damage, most notably to his mainsail. This necessitated a whole new sail, and a long two to three week wait.

Though he is close to the end of the sailing portion of his quest, keeping the boat in good condition is important for both his safety and if he hopes to sell the boat on for a decent price once he arrives in South America.

At the end of July, while still waiting for his new sail, a big storm approached the island. Maldague debated his options. Without a sail, he could not move too far, and he worried that his current position might be too exposed. His alternative was to move further into the bay. There, he would be more sheltered but also much closer to other boats, risking serious damage or even a wreck if boats broke free during the storm. Eventually, he decided it might be best to stay put and ride out the storm further out.

He secured the boat and waited for the storm to blow in. As the wind and waves picked up, Maldague checked and rechecked his boat. Fortunately, despite some “intense moments” the storm was not too severe. His anchor held and the boat, and Maldague, made it safely through the storm.