Sailing in Gales

This message came in today around 1730 from my father via the SSB email system.
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...We are sailing in gales. 35--45knts. since leaving the stream. Double reefed main and a scrap of jib. Straight reach. 15ft. seas. Speed 7.5 to 9 knts. Everyone oK. If you are not on watch you are in bed. Must go. Mike...
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NOAA is forcasting a full gale - seas 15 - 26 feet - for their location. It's going to be a long night for them and their two crew...I really hope they hang together. I've been there and as long as the vessel is well found it's an endurance test more than anything.

SECURITE
NORTH ATLANTIC NORTH OF 31N TO 67N AND WEST OF 35W.
SYNOPSIS VALID 1800 UTC NOV 04.
24 HOUR FORECAST VALID 1800 UTC NOV 05.
48 HOUR FORECAST VALID 1800 UTC NOV 06.

...STORM WARNING...
.LOW 63N 35W 972 MB MOVING NE 35 KT. FRONT EXTENDS FROM 55N 35W
TO 40N 52W. WINDS 40 TO 55 KT SEAS 15 TO 26 FT WITHIN 120 NM
W...180 NM N AND 480 NM S QUADRANTS. WINDS 25 TO 40 KT SEAS 12
TO 20 FT WITHIN 180 NM W SEMICIRCLE AND 660 NM S QUADRANT...AND
WITHIN 180 NM E OF FRONT N OF 48N. WINDS TO 25 KT SEAS 9 TO 16
FT WITHIN 360 NM E OF FRONT AND WITHIN 600 NM W AND 780 NM SW
QUADRANTS.
.24 HOUR FORECAST LOW E OF AREA WITH NEW LOW 65N 35W 982 MB.
FORECAST WINDS 35 TO 50 KT SEAS 18 TO 24 FT WITHIN 180 NM SW
QUADRANT. FORECAST WINDS 25 TO 35 KT SEAS 12 TO 20 FT OVER
FORECAST WATERS WITHIN 480 NM S QUADRANT.
.48 HOUR FORECAST LOW E OF AREA 66N 31W 990 MB. FORECAST WINDS
25 TO 35 KT SEAS 12 TO 17 FT FROM 57N TO 60N E OF 43W.