It is not recommended that you stay with your boat during a hurricane emergency. “Live-aboards” who elect to remain with their vessel should notify someone on shore of their intent, dress in safety gear (wet suits and flotation devices) and have a battery-powered radio and distress equipment available to monitor the storm’s progress and signal for assistance if necessary.
Unless your vessel can run fast, and you have a good head start, do not try to outrun an approaching storm. Twelve foot seas can exist up to 150 miles from the center of the storm system.
Even the most stringent protective measures will not guarantee the survivability of your boat during a hurricane’s onslaught. But the following suggestions, coupled with common sense, will lessen damages to your vessel.
Always keep your watercraft in good condition. Be certain that all systems are functioning. Keep batteries fully charged and make certain bilge pumps are fully operational.
Early preparation and planning are the keys to survivability. All boaters should have a hurricane plan prepared for their vessel. Be sure to file a copy of the plan with your marina operator. Prepare a checklist of actions to be completed in anticipation of a hurricane or tropical storm.
Begin implementing your hurricane checklist at the issuance of a Hurricane Watch by the National Hurricane Center. Don’t waitfor a Hurricane Warning or Evacuation Order to act.
Purchase and stow a mooring line specifically for use in the event of a hurricane. As a general rule, the line should be twice the diameter of your normal line.
All trailer-able boats should be removed from the water and taken to a safe location on dry land.
Boats on trailers should be partially filled with water to provide additional weight and stabilization.
The boat and trailer should be stored in a secure, covered building.
If left outside, the boat and trailer unit should be secured to the ground using ground hooks and straps.
If you have a boat moored at a dock:
- Secure all hatches and doors, and tape all windows from the inside.
- Double up on mooring lines, as well as spring lines, to secure the boat in its mooring. Use several cleats to distribute the load on the boat. Allow as much line as possible for tide and storm surge. Attach chafing gear, such as reinforced radiator hose, where lines will rub. Provide several feet of chafing hose on each rub location.
- Remove all loose articles on deck including bimini tops, plastic side enclosures, sails and dinghies. Store these items on land. Store small loose items below deck, including antennas. Unstep sailboat masts and store them on dry land.
- Shut off fuel lines at the tank and close thru hull fittings. Disconnect electric, water, and other connections from dock.
- Remove all electronics and valuables to prevent destruction or theft.
If you will be anchoring out:
It may be a better option to anchor a boat on the lee side of protective land rather than mooring to a dock. Use two anchors and no stern anchor. The anchors should be either Danforth or Yachtman plow types. Anchor line length should be a minimum of 6-9 times the depth of the water to compensate for storm surge and swing. Use chafing gear.
Please remember that the position of the boat may change drastically as the storm passes and winds shift.
HURRICANE CHECKLIST FOR MOBILE HOME OWNERS
Make sure you have adequate coverage prior to a storm. Rising property values and home improvements may have increased the value of your home so be sure to get a current estimate. If you rent, you should have renter's insurance.
Are all your belongings covered?
Make sure you have current replacement value coverage on all of your home's contents. Ask yourself: What is the deductible? Are there any exclusions?
Make an itemized list of personal belongings that include: costs, dates of purchase and serial numbers. It is a good idea to take pictures or videotape everything inside and outside of your home so that you have proof of possession.
Consider what property your current policy does and does not cover. Additional coverage may be needed for jewelry, art collections, or antiques. If your home is more than 50% destroyed, your homeowner's policy may not cover the cost to build it back to current building and life-safety codes. You may need a rider added to your policy for additional costs.
Most homeowner's policies do not cover backup from septic tanks or sewers into your home due to flooding. You may need a rider to cover this, as well. It is also good to find out if your policy covers relocation or temporary housing during an emergency.
Make sure your policy covers windstorm damage. Also, standard homeowner's policies do not cover flood damage caused by rising water. If you live in a flood prone area, you should consider getting flood insurance.
Safeguard your records by keeping a copy of your insurance policies and inventory records, including pictures and/or videotape, in a safe deposit box or with a relative or friend. Make additional copies of your policies and store them in a plastic bag inside your home.
Contact your insurance agent regarding all of these insurance concerns as soon as possible. Most insurance companies will not accept new applications, when a hurricane is within a certain geographical distance.
