At St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly, the UK Met Office recorded a gust of around 122 kilometres per hour. On the Isle of Portland in Dorset and at the Needles Old Battery station on the Isle of Wight, speeds of around 121 kilometres per hour were recorded in each case. These figures relate to observations made between midnight and midday on Friday, 23 October 2026.
Assistance at sea and in port
Off Cap Gris-Nez, near Calais, a sailing yacht some 15 metres long ran into difficulties due to damage to its steering system. As YACHT reports on the rescue operations during the storm, a rescue vessel from the French maritime rescue organisation SNSM was dispatched. The deep-sea tug ‘Abeille Normandie’ also assisted with the operation.
In Margate, UK, the sole person on board a moored yacht asked to be taken ashore. Heavy gusts and choppy seas were causing the boat difficulties, even whilst in harbour. The sea rescue team brought the person to safety unharmed. This incident highlights a fundamental risk: a mooring may be sheltered from the wind in one direction but exposed to swells in another.
What motorboat owners should check
When it comes to preparing, therefore, there is more to consider than just the forecast wind speed. Mooring lines, fenders and surfaces exposed to the wind must be able to withstand the expected forces. BOOTE explained even before the storm how you Prepare motorboats in the harbour and at the outlying storage facility for strong winds.
Check ropes for wear and chafing. Additional mooring lines should distribute the load across suitable attachment points. There must be sufficient clearance to allow for changes in water levels. Fenders should be positioned where the hull and jetty or neighbouring boat could actually come into contact. Biminis and loose covers provide additional surface area exposed to the wind and should be removed in good time or secured properly.
This sort of work should be carried out before the storm hits, whilst the boat and jetties are still safely accessible. The fact that the way the lines are routed is also crucial during high water was demonstrated by the The 2023 Baltic Sea storm surge, which left ports destroyed and boats sunk. Back then, the eyelets on the ropes could slip over the dolphin heads; in some cases, the mooring lines were not long enough to cope with the rising water levels. People’s safety takes precedence over attempts to protect a boat at all costs.
Route du Rhum: Precautionary measures protect the regatta fleet
Preparations for the Route du Rhum in Saint-Malo were also affected by the storm. The teams reinforced their moorings and adjusted their berthing positions. In its update on 23 October, the organiser reported no major damage to the 115 racing yachts. They reported sustained winds of around 50 knots and gusts exceeding 75 knots, equivalent to more than 139 kilometres per hour. The Atlantic race is scheduled to start on 1 November 2026.
Book recommendations
The Weather Guide for Water Sports Enthusiasts Meeno Schrader explains how wind, waves and clouds are interrelated and what insights can be gained from your own weather observations. Topics covered include local wind systems, coastal effects and the dangers posed by storms, thunderstorms and fog. Advice on meteorological trip planning, assessing forecasts and weather monitoring on board helps you to assess weather risks before setting sail and when choosing a sheltered mooring.
Stress-free motorboating Duncan Wells’ book focuses on practical boat handling with a small crew or alone. Photographs, illustrations and supplementary videos explain manoeuvres in various wind and current conditions. It also covers life at the mooring, as well as mooring and unmooring. Topics covered include mooring lines and the use of fenders, supplemented by information on meteorology and safety.
What precautions have proved effective at your harbour or mooring during a storm? Share your experiences of mooring lines, fenders and choosing a sheltered mooring in the comments.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital