Bad weather incoming?

We are currently in Spanish town awaiting the tropical storm Bertha. We do not know exactly how hard this storm is going to hit, but the word on the street right now is that it will pass slightly south of us which will result in winds of about 25 knots and a lot of rain for the location that we are in. I have always been fascinated by extreme weather, but the squall a couple of weeks ago was more than enough to induce respect in me towards the seas. Being caught in a bad storm would indeed be beneficial to my experience level, but I am concerned by the potential hazards and consequences that could come from it. Hopefully we will be safe, knock on wood. Either way, I am preparing for the worst. Normally we would be anchored off of Norman Island tonight, but to be on the safe side we are now safely tied up on a dock. I have spent very few nights on the dock here before, and it feels strangely new and refreshing. My students are currently watching the scuba video for the first time. They are exhausted from our six hour sail from West End to here and are dehydrated from seasickness and throwing up. It would seem that I finally have acquired my sea legs. I am completely comfortable with being the galley slave and taking care of seasick shipmates. I always tell my shipmates “you are not a proper sailor until you have thrown up from seasickness”, but it makes me wonder about my sailing abilities – I have not to my knowledge never thrown up whilst on a boat. I will have to ask my parents about that.

Location: Current location: Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, BVI