Hurricane Preparations

Hurricane Preparation

The brutal hurricane season of 2005 demonstrated to boaters the importance of early and thorough preparation. While no one can stop a hurricane, you can maximize your chances of avoiding some or all of the damage that the storm will cause.

This checklist covers preparation of a power or sail boat for a major storm while docked or anchored.

IMPORTANT: Under no circumstances should you stay on your boat. After you're done with preparations, find a safe place on shore to wait out the storm. No boat is worth your life.

Planning and Preparedness

Hurricane preparations start long before the storm warning flags go up. Use the checklist below to guide you as you make early preparations:

	Item	Link to Detail
Caretaker
	Arrange for an alternate caretaker to tend to your boat if you might be away when a hurricane hits.
	Make sure that the caretaker knows the basics of operating your boat if they are going to be expected to move the boat to a safe location.
	Leave boat key(s) or combination with the caretaker.
	Leave hurricane equipment (anchors, lines, fenders, etc.) where the caretaker can easily find it.
Insurance
	Document your boat and contents with an equipment list, copies of receipts and photos or video of the boat. A recent survey will also help to set a value on the boat if you experience a hurricane loss.
	Make sure your insurance policy is paid up. Save a copy of the policy in a safe location.
	Review the terms of your policy; be aware of restrictions on where you can be between certain dates. Some policies won't cover you for FL waters before December 1st.
Storage Arrangements
Dock
	Inspect your dock to see if it can withstand hurricane-force waves and wind. Are cleats robustly through-bolted? Do they have room for double or triple dock lines? Is your boat in danger from the boat next to it in the slip?
	Optional: If you stay at a dock, make arrangements to have your boat hauled in the event of a hurricane.
	Know the policy of your marina regarding hurricanes; some marinas insist that boaters leave the marina so docks are not damaged. (!)
Hurricane Hole
	If you anchor out, find at least two "hurricane holes" within 2 days travel of your current location. Become familiar with the bottom conditions and how you would secure your boat there if you had to stay there in a hurricane.
	Be aware of any bridges between you and your intended storage area. Find out if they will close before a hurricane.
	Find out where you can go ashore and make arrangements for a safe place to stay ashore.
Mooring
	Has the mooring been inspected within the past year?
	Is the mooring of sufficient size to hold your boat in a hurricane?
	Find out where you can go ashore and make arrangements for a safe place to stay ashore.

Preparing Your Boat for a Hurricane

	Item	Link to Detail
At Anchor
	Set multiple anchors; put your storm anchor in the direction of the strongest expected winds. Place other anchor(s) towards expected wind shifts.
	Wrap anchor lines with extra chafe gear.
Dewatering
	Check operation of electric bilge pumps; make sure they're turned on
	Check condition of batteries - make sure they're fully charged
	Clean bilge of any debris that might clog the pumps
At the Dock
	Set up double (at least) dock lines. Preferred: set up triple dock lines to hold in the direction of the strongest expected wind. Leave sufficient slack to accommodate anticipated storm surge.
	Set up fenders to protect your boat from the dock and from other boats.
	Wrap dock lines in chafing gear
Misc.
	Remove volatile fuels & solvents from the boat (e.g. acetone, paint thinner, stove alcohol, dinghy gas tank, etc.)
	Make sure all hatches and ports are sealed well
Reduce Windage
	Remove sails and sail covers.
	Take down awnings, dodger, bimini, spray curtains, etc.
	Stow dinghy in a safe place
	Remove solar panels and stow below
Remove Electronics & Other Valuables
	VHF, SSB, GPS, Chartplotter
	Personal effects, jewelry, cash
	Important Papers - ships registration, passports, insurance policy
Secure Through Hulls
	Seal up the exhaust with a suitably sized plug and layers of duct tape
	Shut sea cocks on all through hulls
	Seal up through-hulls and drains that have no sea cock with a softwood plug and layers of duct tape

Links to Outside Resources

	Item	Link to Detail
Hurricane Preparedness
	BOAT/US's hurricane preparation page	Link


Weather and Hurricane Tracking
	NOAA hurricane tracking page	Link
	Weather Underground hurricane tracking page	Link

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