We were hit by this freak of nature on Friday evening while travelling from Port Severn to Frying Pan Bay. We literally went from calm sea's and zero wind to all out mayhem in a matter of minutes. The first wind blast taken on the port side knocked us to starboard to about 45 degrees. It was an all out battle to keep her turned into the wind using the throttles to steer. We were not making headway at all but being shoved off course into a heavily shoaled area. Visibility was non existent and the rain was horizontal, stinging and burning any exposed skin. We lost the battle and ended up on a smooth rock shoal heeled to starboard at a very steep angle. Mayday was put out and with no response, realised that our VHF antenna had been knocked down. A Coast Guard Auxiliary in the Honey Harbour answered and did a call relay. We were pounded and lashed for a considerable length of time after grounding. When the winds died down a young contractor who had been caught as well, approached us and began taking our crew on. A seadoo boat arrived shortly after, (possibly the ACCG member?), and got me off of the boat last. The Thomas P Coffin OPP unit arrived on scene and all 6 were transferred over. The Brebeuf CCG vessel arrived shortly thereafter and they transported one of the crew back to the boat to retrieve meds and wallets. We were then transported to the Midland Town Dock where a cab was called for us. Mariah's Song was pulled off of the shoal early Saturday morning by Hindson's Marina and towed back to their facility. Once there she was lifted out and blocked up. Obvious damage to both props, a bent strut, signs of surface damage to the keel, both chines and scuffs and scrapes down both sides. Construction of our 1982 3007 Aft Cabin was referred to as "like a tank" considering the pounding she had taken. Hats off to all who were involved, letters to appropriate agencies to follow, and hats off to Carver for the incredibly robust construction back in 1982.
No real injuries, the bruises and bumps. We were advised that the sustained winds had been measured at 69 knots!
We consider ourselves very fortunate.
Mariah's Song, and we will return after repairs.