UK sailors John and Nicola Rodriguez, occasional writers for Yachting Monthly, found themselves caught in a deadly Force Ten storm in Majorca in the early hours of Wednesday 29th October. One life was lost and many boats wrecked in Port Andraixt.

Winds up to 60mph and gusts of 75mph hit south-east Majorca, and worked their way southwards to Palma then north east to Pollencia, writes Nicola, whose husband John took the photographs.

The Port of Andraitx was particularly badly affected. In San Telmo a 62 year old man was killed trying to save his sinking yacht. Early estimates suggested more than 50 boats were damaged. At least seven were smashed on the stone walls around the port which attracts vessels from the UK, France, Germany and Italy.

The port of Palma was closed for two hours affecting ferries and cruise ships. Andraixt was full of grim scenes. With no sea wall on the south side of the entrance, powerful waves swept through the bay and crashed with full force into the harbour. Ten foot rollers pounded a 50ft ketch into the outer harbour wall of the Port Authority marina. On the Port Authority dock exhausted men repeatedly failed to secure a motor boat.
For more pictures of the Majorca storm