Boat safety

• From the LSU AgCenter
• Published: May 31, 2009

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Those who have boats moored, docked or stored in a recreational harbor along the Gulf Coast should take proper precautions, an LSU AgCenter expert says.

Dr. Brian LeBlanc, associate professor with the LSU AgCenter, says even relatively small storms can damage boats.

“Even a Category 1 hurricane, with winds between 74 and 95 mph and a storm surge of 4 to 5 feet above normal, can have devastating effects in a crowded harbor,” LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc offered these general suggestions for guarding your vessel against storm damage:

• The best choice, if possible, is to get it out of the water. If the vessel is small and can be easily transported on a trailer, get it out of the water and move it to higher ground. n Consider rain and wind. Getting a vessel out of the water does not automatically mean it’s safe. That just protects the boat from the storm surge and wave action. Rain and wind still must be considered and taken into account.
• Store the boat in a covered area. The best solution is to store small vessels removed from the water in a covered area such as a garage or other dry storage facility.
• Protect the boat and contents. If it is not possible to store the boat inside a shelter, remove all equipment and store that indoors.

If you can’t remove the vessel from the water because of its size or other conditions, LeBlanc offers these tips for protecting a boat that remains in the water:

• Take precautions if the boat is to remain at dock.  Many marinas have particular guidelines you must follow, and some may require you to remove your boat.
• Remove the sails and stow them below deck. If it’s not possible to remove the sails, you must fasten the sails as securely as possible.
• Look around and remove other possible objects that can catch wind such as flags and pennants. After you have removed flags and pennants, make sure all loose items are stored away or tied down.
• Make sure all ports are closed securely and that all funnels are removed and capped.
• Using lines from both sides, secure the tiller or wheels that operate the rudder.
• Do not leave coils of line on the deck without proper stops or other means of rendering them immovable, and take out all slack from any running lines on the deck or mast.
• To minimize the impact of loose vessels, all protruding objects such as anchors must be removed and stowed, and fenders should be set on both sides of the vessel.

He also offers these tips on locating a safe harbor and taking your vessel there:

• Look for a location that has deep water (you may have to arrive at low tide) and is close.
• The best spot has a route free of highway and railroad bridges and has good protection, such as a high bluff, outer reefs or tall trees on as many sides as possible. Visit potential areas ahead of time, if possible.
• Arrive at the area of safe harbor at least 12 hours before the storm’s landfall and set the anchor with at least a 7-to-1 scope.
• Leave your vessel by means of a small boat once it is securely anchored and you have rechecked all automatic switches.
• If you elect to stay aboard, which is not advisable, stay in touch with all weather advisories and stock up on fuel, water, food, ice, clothing, portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries and prescription medications. Also remember it might be necessary to put the engine in gear during the worst part of the storm to ease the strain on the anchor line, so stay awake at all times to prevent the boat from drifting.

Above all, don’t attempt to take your vessel offshore when a storm is approaching or expected to approach.