Hurricane Plan Revisited

Forkliftt · 07-15-2012, 10:09 AM

We are considering a different hurricane plan. We have moved our boat to Gulfport Mississippi and the marina policy is to ask you to leave in the event of a hurricane that will affect us. We still keep a slip several miles up the Tchefuncte River north of Lake Ponchatrain, but this will require a twelve hour run to get there, and we also prefer to let that slip go.
I'm told that several boats survived Katrina by anchoring in Gulfport Lake. This is a body of water several miles inland from Biloxi. I'm considering this as our plan but would like to get some input on how much rode, anchor types and any other preparations that should be considered. The plan would probably be to leave the boat unattended during a storm which I am not crazy about. Thoughts??

ben2go · 07-15-2012, 11:10 AM

I think the other improperly moored or anchored boats breaking out is the biggest concern.Those being blown into your boat will cause it to break loose and get beat to death and/or sunk.Flying debris is also a more concern.Window coverings will help keep water out in case of a broken window.I know,I'm preaching to the choir.

timjet · 07-15-2012, 12:10 PM

Our marina has the same policy. I have no options concerning moving the boat and I told the marina supervisor that. He stated he understood, but offered no alternatives.

So my plan is to prep the boat and leave it there. Tampa Bay has not had a direct hit hurricane since the '20s. We're due.

Keith · 07-15-2012, 12:34 PM

The marinas are trying to avoid damage to their marina by the boats. In FL, they passed a state law forbidding that. Hell, where are all the boats supposed to go? Not to mention the damage to people and property that would result in that mass evac. Thank goodness they don't do that here in Texas.

psneeld · 07-15-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

The marinas are trying to avoid damage to their marina by the boats. In FL, they passed a state law forbidding that. Hell, where are all the boats supposed to go? Not to mention the damage to people and property that would result in that mass evac. Thank goodness they don't do that here in Texas.

NJs last hurricane forbid owners to trailer their little boats out because of the evac route roads being full...go figure...damned if you try...damned if you don't by the insurance world.

I would never moor and abandon....unless it was bridled with wire to one or more hull rings so NO chafe could happen ...and the anchor would have to be a USCG 20,000 pound buoy sinker or better...the 3 danforth rig would be OK if I could preset and check with a dive rig. If staying aboard..and beyond cat 2 would be a crap shoot...then other options are available. Even then you are at the mercy of a thousand other idiots and issues.

The absolute best defense for a power vessel is to move laterally when the time comes.

Forkliftt · 07-15-2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psneeld

NJs last hurricane forbid owners to trailer their little boats out because of the evac route roads being full...go figure...damned if you try...damned if you don't by the insurance world.

I would never moor and abandon....unless it was bridled with wire to one or more hull rings so NO chafe could happen ...and the anchor would have to be a USCG 20,000 pound buoy sinker or better...the 3 danforth rig would be OK if I could preset and check with a dive rig. If staying aboard..and beyond cat 2 would be a crap shoot...then other options are available. Even then you are at the mercy of a thousand other idiots and issues.

The absolute best defense for a power vessel is to move laterally when the time comes.

All good points- but a lateral move is seldom an option in a 7 knot boat. Hurricanes are too unpredictable.

Steve · 07-15-2012, 10:58 PM

"All good points- but a lateral move is seldom an option in a 7 knot boat. Hurricanes are too unpredictable"
They sure are unpredictable.
When I was working a group of customers from Clewiston Fl. were visiting our plant. They cut their visit short when a hurricane was forecast to hit our area, near New Orleans. They were on their way back to Florida when the storm took a right turn and hit their area, we had no problem here.
Steve W

psneeld · 07-16-2012, 06:01 AM

Well in my book they are predictable enough to get out of the "blast area" even at seven knots. You only have to be 100 plus miles away in most cases to miss the most destructive storm surge and when only a few days out the storm tracks are reasonable enough.

Fighterpilot · 07-16-2012, 06:59 AM

At one of the local marinas here in Pensacola Fl. I was told if you had full insurance coverage you could leave your boat in place. I didn't follow up and confirm that since it didn't apply to me. In fact another marina I am using offers a Hurricane plan that you sign up for and pay in advance and they will reserve a spot on the hill for you and haul out and block. About $1200, but if you don't use it you can get a free haul out and block for 5 days after the season has passed. This particular marina has high ground and boats did pretty well in our big blow, Ivan in 2004. We also had Dennis in 2005 that passed right over us.

Keith · 07-16-2012, 07:01 AM

When hurricane Rita was headed for us, if I would have tried to run, I would have headed east. That's exactly where the hurricane went at the last minute. Try to run outside that 5 day cone at 7 knots. Remember they don't necessarily follow that center line.

Blue Heron · 07-16-2012, 08:16 AM

Fighterpilot, Which Marina? I have a haulout reserved for Bahia Mar. looking for one that can do better after Ivan...

swampu · 07-16-2012, 12:15 PM

Forklift, Most of the boats around here go to hurricane hole. It's a "lake" of some sorts up the Tchoutacabouffa river. They tie up to pine trees on both sides and ride the surge up and down. If your not on the boat than you may want to find a spot up a river, which I have knowledge of but I would have to show you. If a storm comes, you call me and we will scout out a few great spots. Me on the other hand just dropped off 4 more 35' pilings to drive across the canal for more security.

Forkliftt · 07-16-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampu

Forklift, Most of the boats around here go to hurricane hole. It's a "lake" of some sorts up the Tchoutacabouffa river. They tie up to pine trees on both sides and ride the surge up and down. If your not on the boat than you may want to find a spot up a river, which I have knowledge of but I would have to show you. If a storm comes, you call me and we will scout out a few great spots. Me on the other hand just dropped off 4 more 35' pilings to drive across the canal for more security.

Swampu, I would like to take you upon your offer. I would be much happier tied between trees. Can you PM your cell number to me? I would prefer to check it out before a storm shows up. I'll give you a call and see what we can work out.

rwidman · 07-16-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timjet

Our marina has the same policy. I have no options concerning moving the boat and I told the marina supervisor that. He stated he understood, but offered no alternatives.

So my plan is to prep the boat and leave it there. Tampa Bay has not had a direct hit hurricane since the '20s. We're due.

You plan on ignoring the policy? Is it written in your lease? Will they kick you out if you don't move the boat? Will they hold you liable for damage to the docks that might have been caused by your boat? Will they move the boat out on their own (or have it moved) and force you to pay the costs involved?

I think that if the lease says you have to move the boat in case of a hurricane, you had better plan on moving it. You do have options, you just haven't looked hard enough.

rwidman · 07-16-2012, 06:38 PM

My marina requires that boats be removed from the wet slips in the event of a predicted hurricane. Owners are required to have a written hurricane plan on file.

There are two options - Have the marina haul and store the boat in their dry stack building (there's a cost for this) or take it somewhere, anywhere. They can haul my 10K lb boat and that's the option I choose. A few at the marina have to leave, they are too heavy for the lift.

psneeld · 07-16-2012, 07:05 PM

Last hurricane that went through here I had my boat haued because my insurance paid for it.

As I sat through the storm...I realized that a 5 foot stom surge would have wrecked every hauled boat in the marina but the ones in the slips may have rode it out fine because most boats were pulled.

I will never have my boat hauled at a seaside marina unless the marina has significantly high terrain AND concrete embedded tie downs.

My new plan is to run it up a river about 10 miles away, 10 miles upstream for a total of 15 miles inland with 50 foot terrain between me and the ocean and significant trees and buildings to knock the winds down too.

It's about a 6 hour run at high tide another 1-2 hours if low when I leave. I can leave with hurricanne landfall less than 36 hours away because of where I sit on the NJ coast.

timjet · 07-16-2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwidman

You plan on ignoring the policy? Is it written in your lease? Will they kick you out if you don't move the boat? Will they hold you liable for damage to the docks that might have been caused by your boat? Will they move the boat out on their own (or have it moved) and force you to pay the costs involved?

I think that if the lease says you have to move the boat in case of a hurricane, you had better plan on moving it. You do have options, you just haven't looked hard enough.

The lease says that we have to move our boat if a named storm is forecast in the area. There are not many places to store a 25000 lb boat and even less lifts capable of pulling it. I have insurance and it will have to suffice.

Besides in the Tampa Bay area you would have to move the boat 20 miles inland or find a stack storage 30 ft high to get out of the storm surge, not really practical is it?

If they insist I move the boat, I will leave and let them move it for me. We'll sort out the legalities later. I won't put my life in danger to accommodate their unreasonable policy and in practice I doubt they will either.

swampu · 07-16-2012, 09:53 PM

I've seen enough storms to know that when the big one hits there is not much to sort out. Were your boat was may be a house. I doubt there going to bust your chops over a broken piling or pulled deck board if a good one comes along. It's the small ones that get you.

FF · 07-17-2012, 05:11 AM

Hell, where are all the boats supposed to go? Not to mention the damage to people and property that would result in that mass evac.

Florida , and most places have loads of inland rivers.

Away from the coast , pick a location with soft banks , not rip rap , and simply anchor. Use all but the last one.

IF the Army Corps hasn't chewed the river to a straight line anchoring should be no problem, IF you can get at least 50 miles inland .

Seasoned skippers will rent a strong dock in a hurricane hole area , they hope never to use.

At $1000 a summer its cheap insurance, lower than most deductibles.

FF

rwidman · 07-17-2012, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timjet

The lease says that we have to move our boat if a named storm is forecast in the area. There are not many places to store a 25000 lb boat and even less lifts capable of pulling it. I have insurance and it will have to suffice.

Besides in the Tampa Bay area you would have to move the boat 20 miles inland or find a stack storage 30 ft high to get out of the storm surge, not really practical is it?

If they insist I move the boat, I will leave and let them move it for me. We'll sort out the legalities later. I won't put my life in danger to accommodate their unreasonable policy and in practice I doubt they will either.

I hope that works out for you.