Marina Dock Age

In September 2009, the BoatU.S. marine insurance division published a 24-page guide for marina and boatyard managers with proven techniques to reduce damage during hurricanes. Since location plays a key in how well facilities will weather a storm, the plan and best strategy for each facility will vary. The guide outlines successful strategies for the following scenarios:

• Floating docks with tall pilings—At most marinas, it’s the surge not the wind that does most of the damage, especially with fixed wooden docks. Additionally, wood pilings won’t hold up to the stresses that are encountered on a floating dock, which are often extreme when the dock rises during a surge. With statistical information on past storms from the National Weather Service, the likely surge heights and wind speeds can be predicted using past data. Make sure an engineering professional identifies the capabilities and limits of a facility.
  

  Boats at fixed docks—If boats must be left at fixed docks, adding more lines and longer lines to many different pilings is essential. Marinas can also reduce damage to docks and boats by moving boats to larger slips. The longer and wider the slip, the further boats will be from pilings.

• Moving boats to hurricane holes—For wet slip marinas that can take vessels to hurricane holes, this is the best option. Even if a facility can’t take every vessel to safer water, moving the larger vessels opens up larger slips for the smaller remaining boats. Marinas that have the option of moving many vessels to inland waterways should make arrangements with professional captains who can assist in the event of a hurricane.

Securing boats ashore—To minimize the damage caused from boats falling off jack stands, facilities should strap boats to the ground. Even if a jack stand topples, straps can help keep the vessel upright. In general, a secure, concrete surface with eyebolts or helical anchors screwed into the ground, along with straps that don’t stretch, work best.

• Moorings—As long as anchors don’t pull loose, moorings can effectively protect boats during a storm by allowing the boat to rise and fall with the surge. The helix screw anchor has been shown to withstand the greatest amount of pull, nearly 12,000 pounds. The other reason boats in moorings suffer damage is chafe. Using a polyester line from the cleat through the chock secured to an existing nylon line to the piling or mooring provides better chafe protection and helps absorb shock.

To download a full copy of What Works, A Guide to Preparing Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Boats for Hurricanes visit www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes.

Even facilities that choose not to provide hurricane haul-out service in the form of pre-organized clubs, must still prepare long before a storm threatens. Determining the best configuration for boats and exactly how they will be stored should be in a written hurricane plan. Ideally, it should be part of the rental agreement and helps to legally cover marinas in the event that vessel owners’ boats are damaged or cause damage to other property. For other tips of the legalities of hurricane preparation, see the “Hurricane preparation: understanding your legal responsibilities,” in the April 2010 issue.

For additional tips from the BoatU.S. guide about hurricane preparation plans and examples of specific facility’s hurricane plans, visit Hurricane plan tips.