Protect Your Boat This Hurricane Season: A Handy Guide to Keep Your Boat Safe from a Hurricane

Most marinas have varying rules which all boat owners must follow when a hurricane threatens the general area that the boats are being stored in. Many states in the United States have passed laws to ensure that boats are secured by their owners to help prevent wrecked boats being projectiles during a hurricane.

The most important rule in protecting your boat from hurricane damage is to plan ahead so that in the event of a hurricane, a specific plan can be implemented. You should check with your local marina to determine their particular requirements and regulations. The boat insurers should also provide you with a checklist of regulations and advice that they need you to adhere to, which can help you from accidentally voiding your warrantee. You should attempt to execute this plan at least once a year to ensure that there are no unforeseen bottlenecks in getting your boat safely out of the path of the hurricane; this should be timed to ensure optimal efficiency.

To prevent your boat from being damaged in a hurricane, you should never try to outrun or drive through a hurricane. This is very dangerous and can cause not only the destruction of your boat but also harm to all occupants of the boat. The winds and tides that result from a hurricane can cause your boat to be sent inland or can cause you to become disoriented and lost at sea.

One of the best ways to prevent your boat from being damaged during a hurricane is to move the boat to an inland storage space or housing facility. Many housing facilities and storage areas increase their rates (especially for large valuable items like boats) so arrangements should be made before the hurricane season, especially if you live in a hurricane prone area.

Your marina or local boating club may also have a flotilla to ensure that all the boats in the club are moved quickly and efficiently. This may end up costing you more but will give you peace of mind and will give you more time to prepare to ensure that you and your family are safe, since your boat is in good hands. You should try to make arrangements as soon as a hurricane watch is implemented to join a flotilla before it is too late and ensure that your boat is well fuelled to make sure that is not damaged during the hurricane.

If your boat is immobile and is in the path of a hurricane, to prevent damage to your boat, you should remove all items that can be moved easily from your boat, these items include: antennas, oars, dinghies and electronics. Rope should also be used to secure your boat properly to prevent and major hurricane damage.

With these tips, the next hurricane warning should not fill you with dread since you are well prepared to ensure that your boat is not damaged in the hurricane.

References

1. http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/family_home/hazards_and_threats/are_you_ready/Protect+Your+Boat+During+Hurricane+Season.htm

2. http://powerboat.about.com/od/maintenanceandrepair/tp/Hurricane-Prep--Anchored-Boats.htm

3. http://www.hurricanecenter.com/boats/preparing-your-boat-for-a-hurricane.html