Saba Island (not Saba Rock) was the most intimidating place I have sailed to yet

Saba Island (not Saba Rock) was the most intimidating place I have sailed to yet. It is just a 4000 foot volcano straight out of the sea. Columbus apparently sailed by muttering "fuck that..."

Until just about 50 years ago the ONLY way to visit the island and get supplies was to ascend The Ladder to the village 1000 feet up.

Now they have a sea wall and a harbor that can fit about 4 boats, right outside the wall on a *calm* day it was the heaviest day I have every moored or anchored with the dinghy banging up against the davits (6 feet) when it was lowered to the sea. Getting in and out of the dinghy was dangerous for Channing and me, and at one point I just dove into it.

At this time Saba has just one visitor mooring ball in Fort Baai where you check in - the rest of the balls have been washed away by the heavy trade wind seas in the winters.

The harbor master Travis was kind enough to allow me to bring Ad Astra into the tiny harbor and offload our 11-strong crew, and then take Ad Astra back out to the ball while we explored the island.

Saba is a strange place, just 1500 locals and about 500 medical students, Ad Astra was one of just 3 or 4 private boats in the *whole country*. Saba was very much an Achievement Unlocked for me and Ad Astra!

https://bethkania.smugmug.com/Saba/i-BtVScr7/0/X3/IMG_2625-X3.jpg

Originally posted on Facebook on August 09, 2015.