Boat Preparation

Prepare your Boat for a Hurricane

If you live in South Florida, there is a good possibility that you will have a boat and experience a major Hurricane. If and when a Hurricane strikes, proper preparation is the best way to ensure that your boat survives or receives less damage during a storm. Here are some tips to ensure that your boat has the best chance of making it through the storm. 

View Marina Hurricane Plan

• Remove your boat from the storm area to a previously identified safe haven 
• Secure your boat in the marina
• Secure your boat at your dock 
• Move your boat to previously identified safe anchorage 
• Leave your boat in dry storage 
• Give a copy of your plan to a friend or family member to complete if you are unavailable. 
• Establish an alternative skipper if you are not available to move your boat. Give a copy of your plan to the alternate skipper. 
• Establish when your plan will become effective, i.e. 72 hours before hurricane arrival, 48 hours, etc. 
• Check your lease or storage rental agreement with the marina or storage management. Be familiar with your responsibilities and liabilities as well as those of the marina or storage facility.
• Determine the plan of adjacent boats. A cooperative plan will benefit all boats. 
• Practice preparing the boat for severe weather so you know how long it will take and how difficult it will be when the emergency is declared. Remember that in an emergency, assistance may not be available to help you prepare. 
• Check if your boat can be tied facing a westerly wind. 
• Check the mooring of adjacent boats for proper placement, size and strength.
•  Look for places where your boat can be cross-tied or if anchors will be needed to supplement lines. 
• Determine if the marina has a hurricane preparedness plan and what you can expect from the marina in event of an approaching hurricane. Be familiar with your responsibilities and liabilities as well as those of the marina or storage facility.