Received great news from a Scottish friend of mine who lives on Phi Phi Island in Thailand which was devastated by the Tsunami. Here's the email I received this morning :
"Hello from Sea Fun, and thank you for your concern,
Its difficult to imagine a Tsunami.
Pai had just taken our guests to the beach and the first wave group hit Sea Fun.
I turned the bowsprit to face the wall head on with engine at full speed forward as multiple waves pounded Sea Fun with incredible speed and force.
I could see walls of white water as it made contact with the beach. Sea Fun took on water through open hatches but survived the savage sea.
After the waves passed, an ocean stream travelling at maybe 10 knots or more took Sea Fun hurtling behind the Island of Ko Mook. I realized I was going downhill....
Pai during this time had moved our guests to higher ground and Sea Fun was now arriving at the back of the Island. The next wave followed shortly after, accompanied by more ocean streams and something resembling whirlpools. I felt I was sailing in a big Jacuzzi....
A third wave group rounded the the Island. Less powerful now....
I gazed at my surroundings and the sea by now is totally covered with objects from the land and with abandoned upturned local boats.
I was to learn later that scores of people had gone missing at the Emerald cave on the west side of Ko Mook, that we had visited the previous day.
Pai came down from high land and arranged a speedboat transfer to evacuate our guests to Trang on the mainland. Our inflatable is brought overland to a longtail and brought out to Sea Fun.
Damage assessment next - relatively light considering the event - Bowsprit side stay rod snapped (1/2 inch S/Steel), anchor windlass wrecked, Engine overheat, and with the whiplash from the first multiple waves - damaged to both masts.
Next followed a very long night with full moon, waiting and ready for more Tsunami. None came. We laid on watch with our passports and valuables in waterproof bags. .
A 5am start, arriving at Saladan, Lanta around 12 where we find all the remaining boats including ferries way inside the river (klong). We have decided to wait. The local damage is unbelievable and we have not seen the worst yet. We have totally lost contact with P P Island and fear the worst......
Next day -
We are now waiting at Saladan. Khun Art of Saladan is getting us fuel, water & engine spare parts coming from Krabi by Taxi before we can move to P P. Lanta costline was badly hit...
[ We have reliable info that Khun Sin and Khun THai working at Sea Sports are safe. We still need info of Mr Song last seen on the beach wearing a P P Princess Sea Sports T Shirt and a P P Princess Sea Sports Lifejacket. We pray for his safety.
As we learn more we will keep you posted"
My friend runs a watersport facility on that island and he spends most of his time on the yatch running chattered cruises. Mr Song the person he's referring to is his Operations Manager. I've only met Song once and I pray for his safety.
