Thanks for the link--a very compelling story, with good suggestions.
I have been at Catalina during a number of storms, including some bad Santa Ana's-including one where multiple boats went ashore in Avalon alone. (I believe the number was 40, including small boats--no harbor patrol to help out in the 60's.)
The loss of life is especially tragic, especially a young father! There was criticism of Vessel Assist. I am not sure that is fair. Any boat operating in those conditions is at risk, as is the crew. I have dealt with runaway vessels in hurricanes, and bring even a solid mooring point, get the engines/engine started, is very difficult at best. It is also risky.
Best in those type of conditions to get all off the boat, if you cannot put to sea before it gets too bad. One of the lessons here, and during the Cabo storm in 1982, where 26+ well equiped anchored cruising boats were blown ashore--and many lost, was that there are always going to be floating lines which can tangle your prop--and once that happens, you are a goner!
People "trust" the moorings, and gear on them…don't! I have moved the largest mooring blocks at the Isthmus (2 harbors)k with a 62 footer--these moorings were "designed" for 80 footers, with larger displacement than my boat…In this most recent case, many of the boats came loose, because of failure of the shackles or lines on the moorings..
If there was any question in my mind about a Santa Ana at Catalina, I went around the back side to Cat Harbor, which is well protected, and has excellent holding grounds. This is also a reason to always have enough fuel on board to make such an emergency trip. I have sat on the shore at the Isthmus and watched boats washed ashore. I have never considered Avalon "safe"
