The old adage that you need a plan to succeed is absolutely relevant with storm preparedness,” says Andrew Chapman, Chief Operating Officer of Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM), President of the Marina Industries Association (MIA) and Certified Marina Manager. We asked Chapman to share some key risk mitigation advice to help you prepare your boat for storm season.

  1. Maintain your vessel and ensure it is in good, seaworthy condition with an appropriate trim. Damage should be repaired as soon as practical so as to maintain the vessel’s integrity which can be essential in some storm conditions. Vessel maintenance should include window and storm board seals and scupper operation checks.
  2. Have prepared storm emergency kits stocked and stored in an appropriate location on your vessel. This kit may include additional lines, torches including the new head lamps, duct tape, additional bilge pump, bucket, tools, straps, cable ties and a knife.
  3. Adding additional lines to alternative cleats can assist if the main mooring lines break or cleats fail. Spreading the load over longer lines allows some give when lines tighten. This spring effect will absorb some line shock and potentially extend the life of a line through extended storm events. Lines should be inspected regularly as different lines are affected by UV exposure or retained moisture. Mooring line life can be shortened by the conditions at each marina so inspect and replace as required at least twice a year. Fenders should also be inspected regularly as they are fastened with lines that are in the elements 24/7 when in use, which may include significant UV exposure. Fenders should be of an appropriate size and inflated to the designed pressure to absorb vessel movement against the dock.
  4. Batteries should be effectively maintained and have sufficient storage to operate bilge pumps in a prolonged power outage. Power outages may be grid orientated or marinas may turn off power in some storm surge events for safety reasons.
  5. Sails, biminis, cushions and dinghies should be removed or appropriately stowed from above deck if a storm is approaching to reduce windage. If a dinghy needs to remain on the boat ensure the bungs are removed and the path for rainwater to escape is clear.
  6. Fridges and freezers should be emptied to avoid spoiled food if power is off for any prolonged period. Frozen food that defrosts can be a major problem if it leaks outside galley fridges onto carpet and other surfaces.
  7. Bilge pumps should be well maintained and operationally tested and set to automatic mode. Bilges must be maintained in a clean state so as to prevent bilge pump or float switch fouling during operation. It’s imperative that bilges are also free from any fuel or oil residue so that this is not pumped into the environment. In some instances, back-up bilge pumps can be petrol-driven to give that power source redundancy in an extended event.
  8. Update the marina with contact information especially if you are going to be away. It’s important to nominate an additional person to make decisions in your absence.
  9. Consider moving your vessel to a more secure location depending on the type of extreme event that is impending. Considering a more protected marina or even an upriver mangrove refuge sometimes offers more protection than sitting in a berth close to the coast. However, each storm is very different and advice should be sought from appropriately qualified professionals with local knowledge. Remember to plan ahead and not move when the storm is in play. Your safety is most important.
  10. Make yourself aware of your marina’s emergency procedures and evacuation points as it’s important to remember that your personal safety is far more important than that of your vessel in a storm.

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