Being as Easter Island is nothing more than a bump in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it's not surprising the seas come crashing into the place from all directions. There are four anchorages around the island and depending on weather conditions each of them can be comfortable. Yet weather can change rapidly, as in hourly, so you never know where the best place to be is.
Since Hanga Roa is the main anchorage with the only town on the island located ashore and is where the Chilean Armada is stationed, we were required to arrive here to check in. There is a couple of small areas with good holding in sand amongst the lava rocks. Having set the anchor securely we felt comfortable leaving Curare for a few hours while we went exploring the island.
That afternoon the wind came up from the north putting the whole anchorage on a lee shore. We got back to Curare and decided everything is fine so stayed put for the night. The winds and seas built overnight and through the next day but we weren't dragging anchor so stayed aboard to keep an eye on things. We could have moved around the island to a protected anchorage but the winds were predicted to come from the southeast overnight which would have made that anchorage uncomfortable. In fact one boat did go there and came back the next day as they had to leave the anchorage in the middle of the night.
We rode through some big seas over a 48 hour period. One boat that was towed in due to engine problems and a broken mast had their anchor rode chafe through. Luckily it was day time and we were aboard visiting the boat to see what help we could offer. The Armada came out to assist but had a difficult time getting close with 5 metre seas breaking over their bow and swamping the open panga. Another boat decided to leave but couldn't retrieve their anchor. In the end they slipped the line and marked it with a float. A dive crew came out to recover it a few days later.
Fortunately everything calmed down after that second night and the next couple of days were pleasant enough for everyone to get ashore and do the things they came 2,000 miles out of their way to do, mainly see some statues.
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