| SolveYourProblem
Article Series: Hurricanes
Hurricane Facts, Tips and Safety Protocols
Finding
a Hurricane Hole for Your Boat
When a hurricane threatens their area, boat owners
have a lot of decisions to make about how to get their watercrafts
through the storm. If you keep your boat in a marina
which allows boat to remain during hurricanes or have
access to your own dock, you may choose to leave your
boat at the dock, securing it with extra anchors and
lines. You might also choose to take your boat out of
the water and drive it inland. For some boats, like small,
open boats or powerboats with low freeboard, this is
the best option. But for other boats, neither of these
options makes the best sense.
Leaving
you boat in a crowded marina may the easiest option,
but your boat has a higher risk of being damaged during a storm
if it is docked around lots of other boats. The boat can easily
be dislodged and knock into other boats. Other boats are simply
too large move inland in case of an evacuation. Finding a hurricane
hole for your boat may the best chance your boat has of surviving
a vicious storm.
Hurricane
holes areas of water where boats can be docked that
are far enough inland that they do not suffer the worst of
the storm surge and that provide some kind of natural protection
from the wind associated with hurricanes. Mangroves, rivers,
and canals are all great places to discover a hurricane hole.
Look for an area with plenty of strong trees. Also, consider
the waterbed - sand is the ideal bottom for hurricane holes,
followed by clay, shells, and soft mud. Never choose a rocky
bottom waterway to leave your boat in during a storm. Some
storms blow the water right out some waterways, and the rocks
would destroy your boat.
How
you secure your boat in a hurricane hole depends on the location. In
small, narrow waterways and canals, use the spider web method
of tying up your boat. Secure the boat from the
center, with lines tied to trees on the shoreline. The more
lines you have, the better. Many boats survived the onslaught
of Hurricane Andrew this way. In a wider waterway, use a combination
of lines and anchors. Anchor the boat with Danforth anchors
and then use lines tied to trees on the shore as extra security.
Whichever method you choose, remember to point your
boat in the direction of the entrance of the waterway, as far inland
you can get, and move your boat outside of normal channels
and as far away from other boats as possible.
Scouting
out hurricane holes in advance of a storm is of the
utmost importance. Some ideal holes are in private, residential
canals, so it may be worthwhile to make an agreement with a
homeowner along one of these canals. Remember how many people
in your area will be looking for some place to put their boat
during a storm - competition will be stiff and having plans
A, B, and C will save you a lot of panicked, last minute hassle.
Where you hurricane hole is, evacuate your boat there as soon
as a storm threatens. If a mass evacuation is ordered, bridges
will not open normally, if at all, to allow the car traffic
to pass. Your boat may be stranded if you do not get out early.
Above all else, never compromise your personal safety to protect
your boat. Never, ever attempt to ride out a storm with your
boat - you can’t prevent the storm from happening, and trying
to do so could cost you your life.
Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, anywhere without warning. Protect yourself and your family. Click to see valuable emergency preparedness supplies and information. Be ready. Be prepared. I love this website. It's my SolveYourProblem recommendation.
# # # # #
by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2007
> Home > Hurricane
/ Emergency / Disaster Articles
: Main Page
|
