Each year, especially in bad hurricane seasons, marine journals publish photographs of vessels damaged and wrecked by named storms. Although in some cases damage may be unavoidable, especially with major hurricanes, in many cases some pre-storm attention from owners would have prevented problems.
Regardless of whether a boat normally lives on a trailer, in a slip, on a mooring or in a rack, hurricane preparation for boats can help save money and get that boat back on the water after the storm passes through. Owners of boats in marinas must be especially vigilant in preparing for hurricanes, since their vessels arguably are most vulnerable.
Boat Hurricane Preparation in Marinas: Don't Ignore the Problem
Boats on shore are much more likely to survive bad storms than boats in marinas, according to BoatUS Insurance, one of the largest -- and most knowledgeable -- marine boat insurance companies in the United States. But unless the owner has made prior arrangements -- which some do in storm-prone areas -- hauling a big boat simply isn't practical on very short notice.
Therefore, boat owners should make every effort to secure their vessels in their slips. That seems obvious, but some owners seem to assume that no extra effort is needed -- and that's how boats get damaged. It's also one of the reasons marine insurance rates rise almost every year.
To ensure vessel safety in a marina, boat owners may need to eye their neighbors' boats as well as their own crafts.
Boat Safety Checklist for Named Storms Includes Lines, Gear
According to BoatUS and Progressive Insurance, another marine boat insurance company, boat owners in marinas should take numerous precautions when hurricane flags go up:
- Remove anything that can blow away, including biminis, dodgers, sails, antennas, outriggers and deck gear such as grills and inflatable boats on deck or in davits. It doesn't matter how secure the gear seems to be -- hurricane-force winds can shred sails and canvas and destroy equipment even if it remains in place. Take the extra time to remove everything possible.
- Consider what will happen to the boat's dock lines if water rises 10 feet above normal levels. If the vessel ties to a fixed dock, that pier likely will be under water during the storm. Adjust lines accordingly, making them long enough so the vessel still can move if it's floating high above the attachment points, and move the lines to points high on pilings if possible.
- Protect dock lines by installing chafe gear, doubling up lines in critical places in case one breaks and inspecting all potential chafe points. If a line passes over a potential chafe point on the dock or the boat, change it so that it won't rub.
- Close all thru-hulls except for those that drain the cockpit and bilge, and seal any above-the-waterline vents, drains and other potential places for water to get into the boat. Consider taping around hatches and companionways, because in a hurricane, water gets everywhere.
- Charge the batteries and make sure the bilge pump works.
- Unplug the boat from the dock. In fact, some marinas turn off the electricity before hurricanes strike, since the power poles may wind up under water.
Boat Hurricane Preparation: Survey Neighbors, Remove Marine Electronics
Boat owners preparing a vessel in a slip for a hurricane may want to consider removing any marine electronics, especially items that are easily portable such as marine handheld VHF radios. If something does happen to the boat, the electronics can cost thousands to replace.
In addition, it's critical to look at the neighbors' boats and potentially to take action to correct hurricane preparation deficiencies, or even ask the marina to do so. Gear from a poorly prepared boat can damage a boat that's well-prepared for the storm.
For example, if the genoa on a neighbor's sailboat unfurls during the storm, the resulting windage could cause that boat to damage docks, neighboring boats or even pilings to which other boats are tied. If the neighbor's boat has multiple pieces of loose gear on deck, that gear can become airborne and damage other vessels.
Expert Advice: Don't Stay Onboard Boat During Hurricanes
All hurricane preparation should wrap up 48 hours prior to the estimated arrival of the named storm, according to officials in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., an oceanfront town with ample experience preparing for big blows.
In addition, experts agree that boat owners should not stay on their vessels during hurricanes, even at a dock, since it's likely to be impossible for rescue personnel to reach them at the height of the storm.
Hurricane preparation involves common sense along with seamanship: Vessel owners should think of the worst possible scenario involving high winds and high water, and then act beforehand to prevent it. Some damage will be inevitable in a bad hurricane, but boaters can avoid much damage and expense with proper boat hurricane preparation.
Jane Anderson - Jane M. Anderson spends as much time as possible on the water, working and sailing on boats. She grew up sailing Sunfish and Rhodes 19s on ...
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