nws hurricane conference june 23 rd, 2009. nws newport hurricane conference june 23 rd, 2009 the...

NWS Hurricane ConferenceNWS Hurricane ConferenceJune 23June 23rdrd, 2009, 2009

NWS Newport Hurricane ConferenceNWS Newport Hurricane ConferenceJune 23June 23rdrd, 2009, 2009

The Boat Owners Job When a The Boat Owners Job When a Storm is Heading Towards Storm is Heading Towards

YouYou

Hurricane PreparednessHurricane Preparedness

““I ONCE KNEW A WRITER WHO, AFTER I ONCE KNEW A WRITER WHO, AFTER SAYING BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT SAYING BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT

THE SEA, PASSED THROUGH A THE SEA, PASSED THROUGH A HURRICANE… HE BECAME A HURRICANE… HE BECAME A

CHANGED MAN.”CHANGED MAN.”

– – Joshua SlocumJoshua Slocum

OverviewOverview

Hurricane Watch TimetableHurricane Watch Timetable– What to do and whenWhat to do and when

Key DecisionsKey Decisions– Put it on LandPut it on Land– Anchor OutAnchor Out– Run for “Sea Room”Run for “Sea Room”– Fixed Docks vs. Floating DocksFixed Docks vs. Floating Docks

SummarySummary

Hurricane Response TimetableHurricane Response Timetable

– STAGE 1STAGE 1 (72 to 48 hours prior to projected storm arrival) (72 to 48 hours prior to projected storm arrival) Monitor NOAA weather reportsMonitor NOAA weather reports Coordinate with marina/dock master and knowledgeable Coordinate with marina/dock master and knowledgeable

boating partner.boating partner. Move all trailerable boats to dry landMove all trailerable boats to dry land Move the bow of all docked boats to point towards the longest Move the bow of all docked boats to point towards the longest

fetchfetch Remove all loose gear from the boatRemove all loose gear from the boat Be sure the automatic bilge pump is functioningBe sure the automatic bilge pump is functioning If you plan to anchor out, now is the time to move your boat.If you plan to anchor out, now is the time to move your boat.


– STAGE 2STAGE 2 (48 to 24 hours prior to projected (48 to 24 hours prior to projected storm arrival)storm arrival) Double all dock lines and add chafe gearDouble all dock lines and add chafe gear Remove and store shore power cordsRemove and store shore power cords Remove and store canvas and sails.Remove and store canvas and sails.


– STAGE 3STAGE 3 (less than 24 hours prior to projected (less than 24 hours prior to projected storm arrival)storm arrival) Final checkFinal check Leave the boat – don’t be on the dock or boat when Leave the boat – don’t be on the dock or boat when

the wind velocity exceeds 50 mph.the wind velocity exceeds 50 mph.


– STAGE 4STAGE 4 (post storm recovery) (post storm recovery) Beware of snakes, downed electrical wires, Beware of snakes, downed electrical wires,

electrical/electronic equipment, leaking gas or fuel.electrical/electronic equipment, leaking gas or fuel. Survey your boat and note all damage – take picturesSurvey your boat and note all damage – take pictures

Hurricane Response Decisions For the Boat Owner

Pull the boat and store on dry land ?Generally the best solutionA “no brainer” for trailerable boats

Anchor out ?A good idea, BUT… it demands careful planningConsider:

Safe location with good holding ground – a hurricane holeAnchors and substantial ground tackleAccess

Tie up to a Dock ?Floating docks – your boat is as secure as the dockFixed docks – can you keep you boat off the dock if

there is a 10’ tidal swing?Bulkhead docks – you’ll need anchors to keep the boat

away from the dock.

Anchoring OutAnchoring Out

LocationLocation AnchorsAnchors ChainChain Multiple Anchor DeploymentMultiple Anchor Deployment PlanPlan


– Location:Location: A hurricane hole with short fetch, good holding A hurricane hole with short fetch, good holding

ground and easy accessground and easy access Plan on a 10 or 15 to 1 scopePlan on a 10 or 15 to 1 scope You will need plenty of swing room – You will need plenty of swing room – assume you will assume you will

drag your anchordrag your anchor The shoreline should be “friendly” in case you drag The shoreline should be “friendly” in case you drag

anchoranchor A crowded hurricane hole can be worse than a A crowded hurricane hole can be worse than a

rickety dock. You are as safe as your rickety dock. You are as safe as your least preparedleast prepared neighborneighbor


– Anchors:Anchors: The bigger the better – size countsThe bigger the better – size counts Bruce and Plow types are usually better because the Bruce and Plow types are usually better because the

re-set well – Danforth type anchors do NOT reset re-set well – Danforth type anchors do NOT reset well.well.


– Multiple Anchor Deployment:Multiple Anchor Deployment: Don’t use the “Bahamian Moor” Don’t use the “Bahamian Moor” Three anchors in equilateral triangle, combined in Three anchors in equilateral triangle, combined in

middle and moored to boat works well.middle and moored to boat works well. Two anchors in sequence (Backed) also works well.Two anchors in sequence (Backed) also works well.


– Anchor Rode:Anchor Rode: Use as much as you’ve got.Use as much as you’ve got. Minimum of 1 boat length of chainMinimum of 1 boat length of chain Make sure you use the proper size for your boatMake sure you use the proper size for your boat If you use all chain, be sure to use a “snubber”If you use all chain, be sure to use a “snubber” Assume you will rotate at least 360Assume you will rotate at least 360°° Nylon rode will stretch – a lotNylon rode will stretch – a lot


PLANPLAN– Use Chafe GearUse Chafe Gear– Use nylon BridleUse nylon Bridle– If you have an all chain rode, use a snubberIf you have an all chain rode, use a snubber– Avoid putting ANY storm stress on the windless. Avoid putting ANY storm stress on the windless.

They are notoriously weak! They are notoriously weak!

..Tying up at the Dock:Tying up at the Dock:

oo At a fixed, floating or bulkhead dock, the general idea is to secure At a fixed, floating or bulkhead dock, the general idea is to secure the boat in such a way that it will never touch the dock structurethe boat in such a way that it will never touch the dock structure . .

Use as many lines as you can. When done, you want it to look like a ‘spider Use as many lines as you can. When done, you want it to look like a ‘spider web’. All line should have the same amount of tension. Spring lines are web’. All line should have the same amount of tension. Spring lines are critical.critical.

Dock lines can stretch over 30%. Be sure your boat will not hit the dock Dock lines can stretch over 30%. Be sure your boat will not hit the dock when the line stretches in the storm.when the line stretches in the storm.

Point the bow of the boat in the direction of the longest fetch. Point the bow of the boat in the direction of the longest fetch.

While fenders may be effective under normal conditions, in a storm they While fenders may be effective under normal conditions, in a storm they are generally useless. Even the strongest fender will be ground to dust are generally useless. Even the strongest fender will be ground to dust between a boat and the dock under storm conditions.between a boat and the dock under storm conditions.

Tie off to as many solid cleats on both the boat and dock as are available. Tie off to as many solid cleats on both the boat and dock as are available. Don’t tie dock lines to insecure fixtures, e.g.: bimini supports, handrails, Don’t tie dock lines to insecure fixtures, e.g.: bimini supports, handrails, etc.etc.

Floating DocksFloating Docks

– FLOATING DOCKS:FLOATING DOCKS: The objective is to be tightly secured to the floating The objective is to be tightly secured to the floating

dock system.dock system. Tie many lines to secure fittings on the boat and dock Tie many lines to secure fittings on the boat and dock

– think spider web– think spider web All line should be taughtAll line should be taught In general: In general: dock lines should not touch the waterdock lines should not touch the water Use chafe gearUse chafe gear BE OFF THE DOCK BEFORE THE STORM BE OFF THE DOCK BEFORE THE STORM

ARRIVES!ARRIVES!

Fixed DocksFixed Docks

– FIXED DOCKS:FIXED DOCKS: REMEMBER, a ‘fixed’ dock moves in a storm – a lot.REMEMBER, a ‘fixed’ dock moves in a storm – a lot.

– ALSO, your boat will move up and down with the tide and surge – ALSO, your boat will move up and down with the tide and surge – in a hurricane more then 10 feet.in a hurricane more then 10 feet.

You must tie the boat in such a way as to have enough line to You must tie the boat in such a way as to have enough line to accommodate the tidal surge.accommodate the tidal surge.

– This means long dock lines, BUT, don’t let the boat hit the dockThis means long dock lines, BUT, don’t let the boat hit the dock

– AGAIN, think spider webAGAIN, think spider web

– Use chafe gearUse chafe gear

The primary danger for a boat at a fixed dock is being damaged The primary danger for a boat at a fixed dock is being damaged against the dock.against the dock.

Bulkhead DocksBulkhead Docks

– BULKHEAD DOCKS:BULKHEAD DOCKS: Similar to a cross between fixed docks and Similar to a cross between fixed docks and

anchoring.anchoring. Use anchors to keep the boat off the dockUse anchors to keep the boat off the dock Has the downside of BOTH anchoring and fixed Has the downside of BOTH anchoring and fixed

docks.docks.

Summary:Summary:

DEVELOP A PLAN:DEVELOP A PLAN:

oo HAVE ALL NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AT HAVE ALL NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AT HAND:HAND:

oo IDENTIFY A LIKEMINDED PARTNER:IDENTIFY A LIKEMINDED PARTNER:

oo LISTEN TO THE WEATHER FORECAST AND LISTEN TO THE WEATHER FORECAST AND COORDINATE WITH LOCAL DOCKMASTER OR COORDINATE WITH LOCAL DOCKMASTER OR YARDYARD

oo ACT EARLYACT EARLY

oo GET OFF THE DOCKS AND BOATS BEFORE GET OFF THE DOCKS AND BOATS BEFORE THE STORM ARRIVESTHE STORM ARRIVES..

Some Very Good ReferencesSome Very Good References

Boatus.comBoatus.com– boatus.com/hurricanes/symposiumboatus.com/hurricanes/symposium

Boats.comBoats.com– boats.com/news-reviews/article/hurricane-boats.com/news-reviews/article/hurricane-

preparation-plans-crucial-2328preparation-plans-crucial-2328

NHC.NOAA.GOVNHC.NOAA.GOV– nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/

marine_safety.shtmlmarine_safety.shtml

http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/symposium/

nws hurricane conference june 23 rd, 2009. nws newport hurricane conference june 23 rd, 2009 the...

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