Paroo survives the Tsunami in Phi Phi

by David & Sue Arnold on 30 Dec 2004 David and Sue Arnold, members of Vaucluse Yacht Club in Sydney, sold their home and small racing yacht early this year and purchased a beautiful cruising yacht, Paroo, with the intention of cruising around the world.

They planned to spend Christmas in Thailand and this is their story that started three days ago...

We were anchored at Phi Phi Don when the Tsunami hit the island we were able to ride out the wave but had to cut our anchor free. At the moment there is no reception on our mobile phone so can not be contacted.

We were with a group of boats and 10 of us were anchored at Phi Phi Don for Christmas. The first thing we knew about it was the water receded and dropped about 10 metres exposing reefs that are not normally seen, at about 10.30am.

The serge then came into the bay, and boat speed, while anchored, was 10 knots. The serge came in and out a couple more times with Paroo knocking against an exposed reef.

Our anchor chain went taught and snapped off the anchor winch - over which much money and heartache had been spent. We then buoyed the chain and left the bay needing to apply full reverse power to get us off the reef.

Later inspection showed that one blade was bent at right angles on the port propeller, making it unusable until repaired. No apparent structural damage - only scratches on the hull.

A person from another boat dived for us, to free the starboard propeller from nets and trees, and we were tossed around and thought we were going to lose the boat.

Casualties in our group were limited to one boat, which was trying to free its propeller in all the debris washed from the shore, which caused a broken arm.

I cannot begin to imagine the condition of the low lying strip of land between the north and south of the island in which hundreds of tourist related shops and restaurants etc existed.

Reports indicate that the island has over 100 dead. The helicopters have been coming and going - as soon as one takes off, another lands.

Last night we anchored in another bay, but at around midnight there were reports that another Tsunami was expected within the half hour.

Without our anchor winch, we had to use the hand winch on the mast, which was very slow. It was panic stations all round as we desperately wanted to be out in deep water before it arrived.

The rest of the night was spent drifting around with our ears glued to the radio as unsourced forecasts of more Tsunamis flew thick and fast.

This morning we came back to North Phi Phi Don with another rally boat, and low and behold, Sue with her eagle eye, spotted our buoy. Great joy we retrieved our 80 metres of half inch chain and CQR anchor.

With the horrendous damage to boats in the area, I don't think we will get slipped for a couple of months. In this case, we may well proceed in our damaged condition.

We will ponder these weighty matters and advise further.