Protecting Boats During Hurricanes.

Source: THE NEWS-PRESS

Boaters can take the following steps in preparation of severe weather:

• Hurricane moorings should be located in advance. Permission should be obtained from appropriate people. For keel boats, make certain there is enough water at low tide.

• A practice run should be made to check accessibility, depth of water, bridges and locating aids and/or obstructions to navigations and objects to secure lines to or drop anchors (drawbridges will not open for boats during evacuation procedures).

• Record and keep with you the vessel registration number, description and location where it is secured.

• Inform the local marine patrol or police officials of your secured vessel’s identification and location.

• Being out of town during hurricane season will require making plans with someone knowledgeable of these procedures to care for your boat.

• Check contract or policy with your marina. Know your responsibilities.

Securing vessel

• Large trees may be used to fasten a boat. Ensure that they are alive and have a good root system. Check the strength of things the boat will be tied to during the storm.

• Tides can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet above normal, particularly when it backs up into waterways. When securing lines, remember that a boat could be pulled under or be damaged as the tide rises.

• Wind direction reverses itself in a hurricane. Secure the boat for all directions.

• Strip the boat of all moveable equipment and lash down all that cannot be removed.

• Seal all openings (air-conditioning duct tape is good) to make the boat as watertight as possible.

• If the boat is left on a davit, open the boat drains before securing.

• When a hurricane warning is issued, leave early for safe harbor.

• Be sure not to block the passage of other boats, which have moorings farther inshore. Cooperate with other skippers in securing their boats and assist them as long as it is safe and prudent to do so. Remember, there may not be room for your boat at the last minute.

• Do not stay aboard. Even small hurricanes with sustained winds of 75 mph have gusts of 110 mph that could blow anyone off the deck. Rescue efforts are impossible. If living on board, seek shelter on land.

• Do not attempt to leave the area unless you have a fast boat and are prepared to travel long distances in rough weather.

• For trailered boats, place wooden blocks between the frame member and axle inside each wheel. Let out about half the air from tires. Fill the boat one-third full of water to help hold it down. The blocks will prevent damage to the trailer springs from additional water weight.

• Tie your boat and trailer securely to a strong object such as a telephone pole or large tree. Use heavy-duty line.

• If your boat cannot be secured this way, remove it from the trailer. Partially fill the boat with water. Tie down the boat and trailer.

General tips

• When securing a boat, use nylon (preferably) lines of adequate length (several hundred feet) and size. Don’t forget chafing gear to protect lines from wear at contact points and fenders of adequate size and strength.

• Make sure you have radio equipment for receiving weather information, oversized anchors (25 pounds or heavier), a full fuel tank and fully charged batteries.

Checklist

• Arrange dock/anchor lines

• Add chafe protection

• Use extra fenders as needed

• Duct-tape windows and hatches

• Insert plugs in engine ports

• Strip equipment

• Disconnect shore power

• Close fuel valves

• Close all but the cockpit seacocks

• Lock boat

• Notify marina manager