Preparedness
As you prepare for hurricane season, don’t forget to secure your boat. Also remember that you should never try and ride out a hurricane in your boat.
Before a Storm:
Check the condition of your vessel and make sure it is in running order in case you have to move it. Make sure it has fuel, the fire fighting and lifesaving equipment is in working order, and the batteries are charged.
Check the water seals and overall watertight integrity. It will probably encounter more water than usual during a storm.
Make sure the deck hardware is still structurally sound and will hold the boat with the extra mooring and wind stress during a hurricane.
Make sure you have enough rope and line to double line the moorings. If not, purchase the necessary materials and supplies ahead of time.
Consider dry-dock storage if you don’t usually use your boat during hurricane season.
Inventory all vessel equipment, placing copies on board and with your Emergency Supply Kit.
Coordinate your mooring plans with the boat owners around you. Even if you do everything right, if the boats around you aren’t prepared, yours will get damaged as well.
Find out from the dock master at your marina exactly what their hurricane plans are so you can respond accordingly.
As a storm approaches:
Once evacuations have started off the barrier islands, Intercoastal Waterway bridges will only be opened infrequently until lockdown.
Local marine law enforcement agencies will put out advisories to all mariners regarding when the bridges will be locked down, which will reduce the time you have to move your boat and may trap you. Monitor VHF channel 16 for those advisories.
The Miami River cannot be used as a safe harbor location unless you have contracted for marina space.
Practice moving your boat so you can check conditions enroute and time yourself. Add extra time for other boat traffic and deteriorating weather conditions.
