An Unknown Mystery One Day

In 1805, Francis Beaufort created a wind force scale to determine wind speed on land or sea. The scale ranged from 0 (calm) to 12 (Hurricane-force). Given that one didn't always have wind instruments on hand, some quick and dirty ways of roughly estimating the wind force were developed. In the sea, one can look at the waves to determine the conditions, while on land, a flag can be used for the same.

On this particular day, I did not need a flag to tell me that it was windy out there. It whistled in my ears. My cheeks and nose were immediately chilled. And the sea was angry that day, my friends.

The sun was already setting, and its light struck the clouds from below while draping the land in shadows. But let not the beautiful clear skies deceive you. The trees swayed and bent in the swift air currents. The maple leaf flapped rapidly; its extended state suggesting a wind force categorized as a strong breeze to near gale, 6-7 on the Beaufort scale.

Then things got a little more serious, when I saw the coast guard speedboat racing across the water towards a group of boats that were out there at the mercy of the wind. I had never seen so many in a group, perhaps because I usually don't go out when there's a wind storm taking place. I figured they were seeking shelter in that portion of the bay. At first, I thought one of the boats had keeled over, but upon closer inspection, I saw that it had some kind of tarp, as if for shelter. It was difficult to discern clearly at that distance.

The wind struck my face, and I felt the bitter cold.

Waves crashed and sprayed water on the rocks.

The coast guard speedboat moved among the sailboats then sped away.

What was happening out there on that turbid ocean? The fleet veered off close to the coast, but then they corrected course and moved back into position.

As usual, I didn't have my camera lens with me because reasons, so the quality of the images leave a lot to be desired. The wind made it next to impossible to stay steady on my feet, causing the photographs to blur. Light conditions were dim, my fingers were numb, my nose was runny from the cold, a bunch of other excuses, and this was the best I could salvage in terms of photographs. I knew, however, that my landlubber ordeals were nothing compared to what those brave people were probably going through at that moment.

I hope whatever they were doing out there, they were successful in their endeavour (unless it was a smuggling or illegal fishing operation).

Darkness descended. I took one last look at the ocean, and then pulling over my hood, I headed home.

Images by @litguru

Posted Using INLEO