Hurricane Season is Upon Us
With the boating season in full swing and the summer months upon us, it's important to be mindful of hurricane season which started on June 1st. As residents of South Florida, we are no strangers to the potential dangers that hurricanes pose to our boats and marinas. To ensure the safety of your vessel and mitigate potential damage, it is crucial to have a well-prepared hurricane plan in place. Additionally, many yacht insurance policies include warranties (promises by you) that need to be strictly adhered to for Named Windstorm Coverage to apply. It is imperative you have read your policy and are familiar with those warranties to avoid a coverage gap. At TowBoatU.S. Fort Lauderdale, we want to help you navigate the storm with confidence. Here are some essential tips for developing your hurricane preparedness plan:
- Checklists: Begin by creating comprehensive checklists that covers everything from securing loose items on board to ensuring you have the necessary supplies on hand. Remove all loose gear, including canvas, isinglass, tenders, sails, cushions, and grills. Make sure you have extra dock lines, fenders, anchors, tie-downs, and duct tape ready to deploy. Duct tape can be used to seal windows, hatches, and companionways.
- Hauled Out Ashore: Statistically speaking, hauling your boat out of the water is the safest option during a hurricane. When hauling your boat ashore, strap each side of the boat down with independent lines to Pad Eyes on a concrete pad. Store the boat above the projected storm surge. Use anti-slip jack stands chained together to reduce movement. Remove hull drain plugs (if any), but remember to reinstall them before launching your boat. Lastly, ensure that cockpit drains are clear.
- Afloat: If you choose to keep your boat afloat, take the necessary precautions to secure it properly. Deploy dock lines in a spider web/crossing fashion, using twice as many lines as you would for normal conditions. Provide chafe protection where lines exit chocks or are tied around cleats and pilings. If your dock is located in a narrow channel, collaborate with your neighbors to tie boats to pilings on each side of the canal, allowing the boat to be secured in the middle to avoid chafe and abrasion and to account for storm surge. Deploy anchors to hold the boat off docks and seawalls whenever possible. Don't forget to fully charge all batteries and clean the bilges while confirming the functionality of automatic bilge pump(s).
- Trailered & Lifts: If you have a trailer or lift, take specific measures to secure your boat. If securing on a lift, ensure that when fully lifted, your vessel's hull will remain above the predicted storm surge. Lift the boat as high as recommended by the lift manufacturer, ensuring good cockpit drainage. Secure the lift and boat together to form a single unit as much as possible. If advised by the lift manufacturer, support lift pilings with additional ties to a secure object ashore. If surge could be a problem, consider relocating your boat or finding a safe haul-out location. If your boat is on a trailer, it may be wise to remove and store small outboard engines. Store the trailered boat indoors or next to a wind break such as a strong concrete structure, ensuring proper drainage. Secure the vessel from movement on the trailer and tie it down securely to the ground.
At TowBoatU.S. Fort Lauderdale, our priority is your safety and peace of mind. We stand ready to assist you in any way we can, whether it's offering advice, providing emergency towing services, or aiding in salvage and recovery efforts.
Prepare, stay informed, and be proactive in safeguarding your boat. By taking the necessary steps outlined in your hurricane preparedness plan, you can minimize the risks and maximize your chances of navigating the storm successfully.
