Warm waters, light winds
aloft, a low hanging around too long and high humidity or moisture in
the air can all result in weather we call a hurricane and we need to be
prepared. Hurricane preparedness is about planning to be
safe.
Hurricane preparedness is very important if you live on the
coastline
from Texas to Maine. Remember Katrina? Hurricane Preparedness can be a matter a
survival for your vessel and your life.
Hurricane Katrina KAT29-b Photographic Print
Faidley, Warren
Buy at AllPosters.com
Hurricane season starts June 1st and goes through November 30th. A hurricane watch is when hurricane conditions will develop in about 36 hours. A hurricane warning is when conditions will be hurricane strength the 24 hours or less. Hurricane preparedness needs to start the moment you become aware that “something is brewing out in the eastern Caribbean, Gulf “or wherever. Living in Florida where I live, I watch the “Tropical update” on our local TV station frequently during hurricane season. I have lived through the 2004-2005 hurricanes and being prepared for the hurricane and being prepared early has helped us stay safe.
As boaters and owners of a sailboat, hurricane preparedness starts with the sailboat. Our sailboat is in the water and it stays in the water so preparing or “prepping” the sailboat is first on our list. Some people take their boats out of the water and have them moved to a safer area. We do not. This is a choice to be made that depends on where your boat is and how protected you think it is. It is an option for people who have their boats in more exposed marinas.
It is good seamanship to keep an eye on the condition of all working parts of your boat all year long. That way there are no surprises when you have to batten down the hatches for a storm. Also, if your boat causes damage to neighboring property or boats you could be liable. Start with taking any valuable equipment off the boat. This could be radios, TV and any electronic equipment. Make sure the batteries are fully charged and turn off all electric switches except to the bilge pump. Make sure the bilge pump is working properly also. Take down all canvas. Because we have roller reefing on the jib, we wrap the lines starting as high as we can reach around the jib and leave the sail on. The mainsail we leave on also.
We
wrap line around it on the boom and anchor the boom down really
well.
In some cities like Ft Lauderdale hurricane preparedness includes
unsteeping the mast. That is so you can get under bridges
during an
evacuation if necessary. In 1993, Florida law stated
drawbridges will not open for boats during evacuation procedures. This
is another reason you should do whatever you are going to do early.
Remove everything topside, like dinghies, cushions, and extra line. Lash down all you can’t or don’t want to remove. For the 04-05 hurricanes we left our dinghy in the water filled with water and then the rains filled it more. This kept it safely at the dock. Sandpiper 8 Dinghy is a great little hard bottom dinghy. Seal all openings on your sailboat you think might leak. High winds push water into crevices you might not think of. Use duct tape if you must to make the boat as watertight as you can. Make sure your cockpit drains are free and clear for the large amounts of rainfall that can accompany the hurricane. If you can’t get to your boat it is a good idea to talk to a reliable person ahead of time to go to your boat and prepared it the way you want it done.
Weather Band AM/FM Radio with LCD Alarm Clock is great to have in case electricity is out for any amount of time.
Put all your
important documents and papers in plastic storage containers if you
can’t take them off the boat. Making copies of the documents
is also a good idea. Copy phone numbers for the Harbor
master, coast
guard, and your insurance agent. Take pictures of your boat
before the
hurricane and after the hurricane in case of damage. Take
pictures of
all your equipment you must leave on your boat. If you live
aboard and they ask you to evacuate don’t hesitate. It is
better to be safe. We always left when they ask us to
evacuate but some
people that live on their boats at our dock did stay. Their
boat is
their home and they decided to stay. They were luckier than
some of the
people that were affected by Hurricane Katrina who opted to
stay. It is
a call only you can make. A risk only you can decide to take.
When tying the boat down double all the lines. Here is great deal from West Marine. 25% off 3-strand dock and anchor line.
Don't wait, buy
early!
Cross spring
lines fore
and aft. Use storm lines that are twice the size you would
normally use
when tying at the dock. At places where you think chafe may
occur, cover the lines with tape, or rags or rubber hose. The
force of
your vessel against the lines will double with every 15 knots of
wind! Evaluate what the storm surge might be in your area.
Tie to the pilings that look like they are the strongest and
the
tallest located fore and aft. To make sure the lines don’t
come off of
the top of the pilings install preventers on the top.
Remember that nylon line can stretch 5-10% of their length.
This
picture shows the many lines on the dock in preparation for a
hurricane. Looks like a spider web of lines! Freedom Fenders are great
protection for between your boat and the dock. They
can prevent the constant pounding of your boat up against the dock when
positioned correctly.
As a true sailor/boater, after you have secured your boat then it is time to secure your home. We do the boat first and ahead of time because it stays in the water. Then we can turn our attention to our home that is 2 miles from the water. My husband is out of town he flies home as fast as he can to help with the preparations for the hurricanes. His company has never objected to his hurricane preparedness plans and I am grateful for that. “Better safe than sorry” as the saying goes. “Don’t mess with mother nature” is another one. Prepare early and be safe is my hope for you.
Hurricane Katrina KAT29-b Photographic Print
Faidley, Warren
Buy at AllPosters.com
Hurricane season starts June 1st and goes through November 30th. A hurricane watch is when hurricane conditions will develop in about 36 hours. A hurricane warning is when conditions will be hurricane strength the 24 hours or less. Hurricane preparedness needs to start the moment you become aware that “something is brewing out in the eastern Caribbean, Gulf “or wherever. Living in Florida where I live, I watch the “Tropical update” on our local TV station frequently during hurricane season. I have lived through the 2004-2005 hurricanes and being prepared for the hurricane and being prepared early has helped us stay safe.
As boaters and owners of a sailboat, hurricane preparedness starts with the sailboat. Our sailboat is in the water and it stays in the water so preparing or “prepping” the sailboat is first on our list. Some people take their boats out of the water and have them moved to a safer area. We do not. This is a choice to be made that depends on where your boat is and how protected you think it is. It is an option for people who have their boats in more exposed marinas.
It is good seamanship to keep an eye on the condition of all working parts of your boat all year long. That way there are no surprises when you have to batten down the hatches for a storm. Also, if your boat causes damage to neighboring property or boats you could be liable. Start with taking any valuable equipment off the boat. This could be radios, TV and any electronic equipment. Make sure the batteries are fully charged and turn off all electric switches except to the bilge pump. Make sure the bilge pump is working properly also. Take down all canvas. Because we have roller reefing on the jib, we wrap the lines starting as high as we can reach around the jib and leave the sail on. The mainsail we leave on also.
We
wrap line around it on the boom and anchor the boom down really
well.
In some cities like Ft Lauderdale hurricane preparedness includes
unsteeping the mast. That is so you can get under bridges
during an
evacuation if necessary. In 1993, Florida law stated
drawbridges will not open for boats during evacuation procedures. This
is another reason you should do whatever you are going to do early. Remove everything topside, like dinghies, cushions, and extra line. Lash down all you can’t or don’t want to remove. For the 04-05 hurricanes we left our dinghy in the water filled with water and then the rains filled it more. This kept it safely at the dock. Sandpiper 8 Dinghy is a great little hard bottom dinghy. Seal all openings on your sailboat you think might leak. High winds push water into crevices you might not think of. Use duct tape if you must to make the boat as watertight as you can. Make sure your cockpit drains are free and clear for the large amounts of rainfall that can accompany the hurricane. If you can’t get to your boat it is a good idea to talk to a reliable person ahead of time to go to your boat and prepared it the way you want it done.
Weather Band AM/FM Radio with LCD Alarm Clock is great to have in case electricity is out for any amount of time.
When tying the boat down double all the lines. Here is great deal from West Marine. 25% off 3-strand dock and anchor line.
As a true sailor/boater, after you have secured your boat then it is time to secure your home. We do the boat first and ahead of time because it stays in the water. Then we can turn our attention to our home that is 2 miles from the water. My husband is out of town he flies home as fast as he can to help with the preparations for the hurricanes. His company has never objected to his hurricane preparedness plans and I am grateful for that. “Better safe than sorry” as the saying goes. “Don’t mess with mother nature” is another one. Prepare early and be safe is my hope for you.
