The 2004 Hurricane Season is upon us, running from June to November with peak hurricane activity from mid-August to mid-October. Florida boat owners should have a plan of action for securing their boats in place, should a storm threaten South Florida. We also recommend annual trial-runs of your plan to ensure they are sufficient.

The Sands Harbor Marina does not require boats under contract to leave the marina for approaching hurricanes. We will assist boaters with securing their boats as much as possible, but it is the boat owners' responsibility to ensure their boats are safe.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RIDE OUT THE STORM IN A BOAT!

Here are guidelines for securing your boat at a marina:

• Tie high on pilings to allow for rising water.
• Run extra line and double tie every knot.
• Purchase rope, duct tape and other materials early before supplies run low.
• Cover all tie lines at contact points with rubber to prevent chafing.
• Disconnect shore power.
• Verify battery power is sufficient to run bilge pumps throughout and after the storm.
• Remove or secure all deck gear, radio antennas, outriggers, rafts, sails, tops, canvases, curtains, booms and dinghies and all other objects that could blow away or cause damage.
• Insert plugs in engine ports.
• Close fuel valves and cockpit seacocks.
• Install fenders to protect the boat from rubbing against the dock.
• Use duct tape to seal windows and hatches.
• Remove all canvas, chains, life preservers and other equipment to reduce wind load.
• Ensure fire extinguishers and lifesaving equipment are in working order.
• Keep copies of boat registration and insurance in a safe place NOT on the boat.

If you choose to take your boat out of the water, or have your boat on a trailer:

• Park boat/trailer in the garage, or near a building.
• Fill boat no more than halfway with water to add weight. (Overfilling can damage the trailer.)
• Remove outboard motors.
• Let some air out of trailer tires.
• Place blocks in front and back of tires to prevent rolling.
• Lash trailer down with heavy ropes or chains.

Ground traffic receives priority in the event of an evacuation. Therefore, Broward County bridges are locked in the down position 3-1/2 hours after the evacuation order is issued, or when winds reach 39 mph, whichever comes first. Have your boat evacuation plan ready and act as quickly as possible to ensure safe mooring.

Inland canals offer some protection, but most major east-west waterways are blocked by floodgates. Do not block other boats by anchoring yours in the center of a canal.

For more information, please go to the National Hurricane Center website at: www.nhc.noaa.gov.

Click here for South Florida
hurricane forecasts.

Email: dockmaster@sandsharbor.com

125 North Riverside Drive
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
954-942-9100 x6000