PREPARING YOUR BOAT FOR A HURRICANE
Precautions for Boat Owners
The key to protecting your
boat from hurricanes or any severe, threatening weather is planning,
preparation, and timely action. The following precautions and checklists
are meant as guidelines only. Each boat owner needs a plan unique to the type
of boat, local boating environment, the severe weather conditions likely to
occur in that region, and the characteristics of safe havens and/or plans for
protection. The following preparation and precautionary suggestions are issued
as guidelines to be used by the marine community. While these suggestions may not be applicable
to everyone in all instances, it is hoped that common sense and good judgment
will prevail.
Should even one of these suggestions save a life, prevent an injury, or reduce property damage, their purpose will have been served.
1. Prior to the hurricane
season, develop a detailed plan of action to secure your vessel in the marina.
If permitted, remove your boat from the threatened area, or take your boat to a
previously identified hurricane refuge.
Specifically, identify and assemble needed equipment and supplies. Keep
them together. Before hurricane season,
practice your plan to ensure that it works.
2. Arrange for a friend to
carry out your plans if you are out of town during hurricane season.
3. Check your lease or storage
rental agreement with the marina or storage area. Know your responsibilities
and liabilities as well as those of the marina.
4. 
Consolidate all records,
including insurance policies, a recent photo of your vessel, boat registration,
equipment inventory, lease agreement with the marina or storage area, and
telephone numbers of appropriate authorities (i.e., harbor master, Coast Guard,
insurance agent, National Weather Service, etc.) and keep them in your
possession. They may be needed when you
return to check on your boat after the hurricane.
5. Maintain an inventory of
both the items removed and those left on board.
Items of value should be marked so that they can be readily identified,
if dispersed by the storm.
6. 
Before a hurricane
threatens, analyze how you will remove valuable equipment from the boat and how
long it will take, so you will have an accurate estimate of the time and work
involved. When a hurricane is approaching, and after you have made anchoring or
mooring provisions, remove all moveable equipment such as canvas, sails,
dinghies, radios, cushions, biminis and roller furling sails. Lash down
everything you cannot remove such as tillers, wheels, booms, etc. Make sure the
electrical system is cut off unless you plan to leave the boat in the water,
and remove the battery to eliminate the risk of fire or other damage.
NOTE: When wind and seas warrant,
marine agencies remove their boats from service and will not be able to rescue
foolish boaters. In addition to these
general steps, which should be taken no matter where you plan to leave your
boat during a hurricane or other severe weather, the following specific steps
should be taken depending on your situation and the option you select.
Trailerable Boats 
1. Determine the requirement to
load and haul your boat to a safer area.
Be sure your tow vehicle is capable of properly and adequately moving
the boat. Check your trailer: tires, bearings and axle should all be in good condition.
Too often a flat tire, frozen bearings or a broken axle prevents the owner from
moving a boat.
2. Once at a “safe” place, lash
your boat to the trailer and place blocks between the frame members and the
axle inside each wheel. Owners of light weight boats, after consulting with the
manufacturer, may wish to consider letting about half the air out of the tires,
then filling the boat one-third full of water to help hold it down. (The blocks
will prevent damage to the springs from the additional weight of the water.)
3. Secure your boat with heavy lines to fixed objects. Try to pick a location that allows you to secure it from all four directions, because hurricane winds rotate and change direction. It can be tied down to screw anchors secured into the ground. Remember that trees are often blown over during a hurricane.
Non-Trailerable Boats
In Dry Storage
1. Determine the safest, most
realistic, 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 the area. Wherever you choose to locate your boat for the
duration of the hurricane, lash the boat to its cradle with heavy lines and
consider, based on the weight of the boat, adding water to the bilge to help
hold it down.
2. Never leave a boat on davits
or on a hydro-lift.
Non-Trailerable Boats
In Wet Storage
The owner of a large boat,
usually one moored in a berth, has three
options:
1. Secure the boat in the
marina berth.
2. Moor the boat in a
previously identified safe area.
3. Haul the boat.
Each
action requires a separate strategy. Another alternative, running from the
storm, is not encouraged except for large commercial vessels—unless there is
enough time to get your boat beyond the storm’s projected path.
Boats Remaining in Marina
Berth
·
Double all lines. Rig crossing spring lines fore and aft. Attach lines
high on pilings to allow for tidal rise or surge. Make sure lines will not slip off pilings. Inspect
pilings and choose those that seem strongest and tallest and are properly
installed. The longer the dock lines, the better a boat will be at coping with
high tides. It is also essential to double up on all lines and use chafe
protectors at any potential chafe points.
· Install fenders to protect the boat from rubbing against the pier, pilings and other boats.
Cover all lines at rough points to prevent chafing. Wrap with tape, rags, and rubber hoses, etc.
Assess
the attachment of primary cleats, winches and chocks. These should have
substantial back plates and adequate stainless steel bolt sizes.
Batteries
should be fully charged and checked to ensure their capability to run automatic
bilge pumps for the duration of the storm.
Consider backup batteries. Cut off all devices consuming electricity
except bilge pumps.
xDo Not Stay Aboard. Winds during any hurricane
can exceed 100 M.P.H., and tornados are often associated with these storms. First and foremost, safeguard human life.