Experts urge boaters to take precautions
As the hurricane season hits its stride, with a major storm headed for the southern East Coast, maritime managers and harbormasters across the region are urging boat owners to take bad weather seriously.
It is possible the remnants of Hurricane Florence will be felt locally, depending on the track of the storm and when it makes landfall. But however the big storm proceeds, it should be a reminder to boaters to take steps to ensure property and lives are safe, public-safety officials say.
Greenwich Harbormaster Ian Macmillan put together a safety checklist for boaters after consultations with other harbormasters and experts in the region.
“Recreational boaters, I want to give them something to think about. Hopefully, it will stimulate some thought,” said Macmillan. “Especially, due to the fact that one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded is bearing down on us.”
Heavy-weather preparations should be routine, whether or not a major hurricane is in the news, he said: “These actions should be practiced as a standard, since unnamed and unpredicted storms can also cause significant damage.”
Frank Gulia, a manager at the Cedar Marina in
⏩ Remove anything from your boat that can catch wind and become airborne, including flags and radar reflectors.
⏩ Rig a storm bridle (secondary bridle) tied around your mast or primary winches. Attach a storm line or bridle to the bow cleat at all times. Attachment should be verified prior to a storm.
⏩ Remove and stow anchors. Anchors, especially plow anchors, can act like knives in rough seas and cut mooring bridles.
⏩ Leave your boat unlocked, batteries charged and on, keys in ignition. Check your bilge and pumps. Keep a flashlight handy.
⏩ Make sure that chocks have no rough edges that can cause chafe, and make sure cleats are securely fastened to the deck. During rough seas, little can be done to prevent a bridle from chafing on a burred chock. You may use chafing gear with some liquid soap to lubricate.
⏩ Prior to hurricane conditions, if at all possible, attempt to have boat hauled out or relocated to a sheltered harbor.
⏩ When in a dock or slip, keep lines from being too tight. Be sure to have fenders between your boat and your neighbor’s boat, as well as the dock.
Bridgeport, said he always likes to remind people about safety in a friendly way when he’s out on the docks.
“How’s your batteries? How’s your radio? Do you have your flares?” Gulia will ask when chatting with boaters.
“It’s a conversation we try to have. You can get people to think without lecturing them,” he said.
The boating season is still going strong, Gulia said, especially since Hurricane Florence doesn’t appear to be threatening the Northeast. No one seems to be in a rush to bring their boats in, the marina manager said.
“It’s a favorite time of year for a lot of people. The fishing is terrific and the water is still warm,” Gulia said.
The U.S. Coast Guard advises boaters that fall weather can be particularly subject to extremes on the water.
Petty Officer Hunter Medley, a Coast Guard spokesman, said conditions can change rapidly in the fall months.
“Always keep an eye on the forecast, keep your safety gear intact and file a ‘float plan’ — let a friend or spouse know where you’re going and when you’ll be back,” Medley said. “Be especially aware of the weather — be cognizant of how the weather can change pretty quickly this time of year.”