Protecting Your Boat During a Hurricane

Hurricanes are enormous cyclonic storm systems covering hundreds or even thousands of square miles which usually develop in the tropical or subtropical latitudes during the summer and fall. Less intense storms are designated tropical depressions or tropical storms. Each hurricane is, essentially, an organized system made up of hundreds of individual thunderstorms.

The key to protecting your boat from hurricanes or any severe weather is proper planning, preparation and timely action. Most of the work needed should be done prior to the storm. Generally, you may have from 24-48 hours to take action after bad weather is predicted or a hurricane warning is issued but the key is to HAVE A PLAN ahead of time.

Before the Storm Hits

• Check your marina or storage area. Secure a copy of your rental agreement and know your responsibilities and liabilities as well as the marina or storage area’s responsibilities.
• Check with your state to see if drawbridges will be open for boats during evacuation procedures.
• Make a practice run or drill to check accessibility, depth of water, bridges, location of aids and/or obstructions to navigation and locations to secure lines or drop anchors.
• After you have secured the anchoring or mooring provisions, remove all movable equipment such as canvas, sails, dinghies, radios, cushions, Biminis, etc. Lash down everything you cannot remove, such as tillers, wheels, booms, etc.
• Seal all openings to make the boat as watertight as possible (duct tape works well).
• Turn off electrical system unless you plan to leave the boat in the water. If the boat doesn’t have to remain in the water, remove the battery to eliminate the risk of fire or other damage.
• If time allows, remove your boat from the threatened area or take your boat to a previously identified hurricane refuge.
• Keep all documents, including insurance policies, a recent photo or video of your watercraft, registration, equipment inventory, lease agreement and telephone numbers of appropriate authorities (harbor master, coast guard, insurance agent, national weather service, etc.). Store these documents in a safe place, somewhere other than your boat.

Moving your boat away from the storm path

If your plan calls for moving your boat away from the storm path, try to move it at least 48 to 72 hours before the hurricane or storm is estimated to strike the area. This may even be before a hurricane watch is issued. Make sure that:

• Fuel tanks are full.
• Fuel filters are clean.
• Batteries are charged.
• Bilges are clean.
• Cockpit drains are clear and open.
• Firefighting equipment is in good condition, in place and readily accessible.

Remove and/or secure all deck gear, portable gear, radio antennas, outriggers, fighting chairs, deck boxes, and side canvas/curtains, sails, booms, extra halyards, canister rafts, and dinghies. Make sure that you secure all hatches, ports, doors, and sailboat rudders. The dinghy may be required to take lines ashore.

If the vessel must remain dockside at a private dock or marina, heavy duty fender boards (2x6) should be installed on a bare wood center piling to prevent damage. Lines should be doubled and even tripled where necessary to hold a vessel in the center of a berth or off seawall or dock pilings. Preventer should be installed at the top of the pilings so lines cannot slip off the top. Note that nylon line will stretch five to ten percent of its length.

For boats in Dry Storage

• Determine the safest obtainable haven for your boat and make arrangements to move your boat there. When selecting a safe location, be sure to consider whether storm surge could rise into that area.
• Wherever you choose to locate your boat for the duration of the storm, lash the boat to its cradle with heavy lines. Based on the weight of the boat, consider adding water to the bilge to help hold it down.
• Never leave a boat in davits or on a hydro-lift.

Remember:

• Never stay with your boat. Your boat should be stripped of anything that can become loose during the storm. This would include nun-stepping the mast in sailboats. Boat documents, radios and other valuables should be removed from the vessel prior to the storm, since you never know how long it will take for you to get back to your boat once the storm passes.
• Hurricanes are among the most destructive phenomena of nature, their appearance is not to be taken lightly. Advance planning cannot guarantee that your boat will survive a hurricane safely or even survive at all.
• Planning can, however, improve survivability and is therefore certainly worth the time and money to do so.

Whiticar covers all of your boat and marine needs to have your boat in great shape. Visit our website for additional information about our services.  www.whiticarboatworks.com