Lost our liveaboard boat to Hurricane Ian
*update* we have bought a new boat from the donations, any future ones will go to getting solar and other things to make her live-able, she currently has no power or way to cook food aboard.
Hurricane Ian hit key west harder than forecast and we were aboard during it to try to keep it safe during the storm. After winds gusted over 100mph from the wrong direction as predicted we got blown out to sea where a waterspout hit us and we lost our main anchor so I had to rig 2 generators and a outboard together on a line for a heavy weight to slow our drag. After dragging out the harbor we hit open waters and sustained maximum winds and 10ft+ waves that beat us several miles north west of key west onto a shallow area that broke our keel bolts and the rudder wasn't responsive so I assume it's gone as well. I deployed flares and sent out a mayday but coast guard wouldn't come rescue us for 16 hours after storm started and we spent that time locked inside hoping we don't sink or drown as the waves and wind beat us from the side breaking important parts to the vessel.The boat lays way up in shallow banks where it can't be salvaged unless tides are way way higher but even then if it has another grounding it will loose the keel and sink so it's no longer safe to live on even if salvageable. We currently are staying with a friend temporarily till I can get the funds to get another boat to live on from a friend who's offered us a deal to help us out but due to being out of work from the storm checks will be short next week and I still have to try to salvage the dinghy and motor on it that's underwater. Everything on deck of the vessel is gone and inside is trashed. We have no home and were trying to make something with our lives and now it's all gone. Any help is appreciated getting a new home for us and our doggy.
Organizer
Dakota Dalman
Organizer
Key West, FL