|
| 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 broken axle prevents an 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 four directions, because hurricane
winds rotate and change direction. It can be tied down to screw
anchors secured in the ground. This is what can happen to boat
owners who do not take proper precautions. |
|
|
Non-Trailerable
Boats in Dry Storage
|
| 1.
|
Determine
the safest, 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 in 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. |
|
|
Boats
Remaining in Marina Berth |
| 1. |
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.
|
| 2. |
Cover all lines at rough points to prevent chafing. Wrap with
tape, rags, and rubber hoses, etc. Install fenders to protect
the boat from rubbing against the pier, pilings and other boats. |
|
| |
The
longer the docklines, 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. |
| 3.
|
Assess
the attachment of primary cleats, winches and chocks. These
should have substantial back plates and adequate stainless steel
bolt sizes. |
| 4. |
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. |
| 5. |
Do not stay aboard. Winds, during any hurricane, can exceed
100 mph and tornadoes are often associated with these storms.
First and foremost, safeguard human life. |
|
|
Other
Information / Diagrams |
|
| Reinforced
and properly backed cleat. Note the washers and the backing
plate. These are essential in a hurricane and a good idea in
quieter times as well. |
|
| Storm
moorings, whether at dock or otherwise, should have doubled
lines. The second set of lines should be a size larger than
the normal lines, including spring lines at a dock. |
|
| The
best offshore mooring location for a vessel to ride out a storm
is in the center of a canal or narrow river where at least doubled
mooring lines can be secured to both shores, port and starboard,
fore and aft. |
|
|
|
For
more information contact MIATC. |
