Yesterday, Chalong Bay was bustling with excitement and a touch of Mother Nature’s flair as water spouts playfully danced their way through the anchorage. The sight ignited quite a buzz online, with many spectators enthusiastically labeling the spectacle a “tornado.” But hold your horses, because Brent McInnes, a seasoned sailor and an authority in such matters, was quick to set the record straight. With over three decades of sailing experience under his belt in Phuket, McInnes was not going to let this little weather tango be misunderstood.
Cue the videos! Throngs of onlookers, including the ever-observant staff at the Phuket Tourist Assistance Center, whipped out their smartphones to capture the twirling water show. Meanwhile, McInnes, from the Phuket Cruising Yacht Club, shed light on the true wizardry behind this weather phenomenon. According to him, it was all thanks to two clashing weather fronts, one marching in from the northeast and the other sailing from the southwest, having a spirited meeting right over Chalong Bay. This atmospheric collaboration was the mastermind behind the formation of numerous water spouts, graciously performing for a solid 45 minutes before vanishing into thin air.
As the spouts took center stage, wind speeds soared to impressive heights, topping 30 knots – with one yacht’s instruments ambitiously clocking in at 40 knots. But despite the drama, McInnes emphasized that these weren’t tornadoes, oh no! He noted the presence of six to eight distinct water spouts, with two outstanding entrees flaunting their girth of up to 100 meters across at their bases, tracing poetically opposite paths in the bay.
While boats in the area shared some tales of minor misadventures, like being nudged on their moorings or sporting freshly torn canvases, Mother Nature was ultimately kind. There were no reported injuries from this meteorological musings. McInnes dubbed it a “weather anomaly” and highlighted its rarity in the area, even with sporadic water spouts gracing Chalong Bay’s weather diary from time to time.
But amid these blustery theatrics, another tale from the sea unfolds. Imagine this: a tourist boat carrying 35 adventurous Russian passengers experienced its own touch of suspense just off Sak Island on March 18. A daunting cloud of midnight-black smoke decided it wanted to join the voyage, unfortunately choosing to engulf the vessel for added drama. Thanks to the heroic and swift actions of the captain and emergency services, a potential sea tragedy was averted. The Marine Disaster Prevention Radio Center in Pattaya received an SOS about a stir on the two-story Pattaya Bay Cruise boat. And in no time, rescue vessels were en route, only to discover, much to their relief, that the menacing cloud was just a smoke show with no fire at its core.
As excitement around Chalong Bay continues to ripple, local news remains a kaleidoscope of happenings, from ethical inquiries surrounding the illustrious Thaksin to reverberations from earthquakes in Chiang Mai. And while all eyes are on Songkran festivities, with Thai tourists escaping to China for splashes of New Year deals, the unpredictable seas around Thailand serve as a reminder of nature’s captivating artistry and the resilience of those who sail on her whimsy winds.
Wow, I saw the videos online and it really looked like a mini cyclone! How can Brent McInnes just dismiss it like that?
It’s not dismissing; it’s clarification. There’s a big difference between a waterspout and a tornado, both in looks and impact.
I get it, but it just felt so intense. Still, I guess it’s good that nothing serious happened.
I’ve been sailing for years and that must’ve been a sight to behold. Wish I was there to see it!
It does sound spectacular! Though I’d be terrified of getting caught in one. Better seen from shore!
True sailors aren’t afraid! But yeah, watching from a safe distance seems wise.
Phenomena like this aren’t as rare as people think, it’s just that they often happen in less populated areas and go unnoticed.
Totally agree. When nature takes center stage, it’s always fascinating to see people’s reactions.
It’s amazing how something that seems so destructive can be relatively harmless if understood correctly.
Exactly. Understanding the science behind it makes a huge difference in how we perceive these events.
Seems like people made a big deal out of nothing. It’s just some wind and water, people!
Yeah, but unusual weather events are intriguing, just like any rare occurrence. It’s human nature.
The Russian boat story sounds like quite the plot twist! Black smoke but no fire? Lucky escape!
Indeed, running into something like that would cause panic on any trip!
Those poor tourists! At least it all turned out fine. Imagine the stories they’ll tell back home.
Was there anyone tracking the weather that day? Seems like they should’ve been able to predict it.
Weather is wildly unpredictable especially in tropical areas. Tracking isn’t foolproof.
Nature’s the best showman there is. Beats Netflix any day if you ask me.
Weather anomalies are increasing, which should make us think about climate change impact.
Don’t bring politics into everything, sometimes it’s just nature being unpredictable.
It’s not politics. It’s science. Unpredictable nature now might signal bigger changes later.
I bet the videos will hit a million views soon. Viral weather!
No doubt! We’ve become a ‘pics or it didn’t happen’ culture.
I once saw a waterspout while on a ski trip in Maine, unexpected but not unheard of in colder climates.
Love how the article adds a sense of mystery and excitement to these natural occurrences.
Nature always keeps us on our toes!
That’s what’s great about living by the sea. Always an adventure.
I hope the yacht club got some good publicity out of this. It sure caught my attention.
Yeah, Brent McInnes definitely showed his expertise. Always helps to have a knowledgeable voice.