IMPORTANT: This document is a work in progress and is NOT
official Club policy. Please feel free to make revisions.
Parklawn Sailing Association: Storm Preparations for the Boats and other PSA property
September 24, 2003
(Thanks to Tom Vegella and Larry Grossman for writing most of this document)
Prepare for High Winds
- Remove the sails and covers (leaving main on the boom and wrapping
with a long line like a spinnaker sheet is a possibility)
- Remove all objects which may be dislodged by high winds such as the lifesling and radar reflector
- Secure halyards to minimize flapping
Prepare for a Storm Surge (extra high tide)
- Attach all dock lines near tops of pilings - try to be ready for a 6 foot surge so that means
raise lines 3 feet above their "normal" position, if possible
- Make sure bow is further away from the dock than normal. It may be necessary to reposition all lines.
- Double up the dock lines and protect them from chafing.
- Tie dock lines to pilings.
- Do not tie dock lines to cleats bolted to pier decking.
- Avoid using short dock lines that do not have adequate stretch.
- Use pilings with adequate horizontal spread to prevent boat
from hitting amidships piling during surges.
- Consider attaching dock lines to pilings in other slips or on opposite side of dock (take
care not to interfere with dock lines belonging to other boaters).
- Add spring lines to prevent hitting outside pilings as well as the pier.
- Disconnect from shore power, set batteries to power the bilge pump. Stow shore power cord in boat.
- Add fenders at potential rub points, such as a nearby boat or a piling.
- Remove any water sensitive or expensive materials from dock boxes. Items can
be stored in boat's V berth.
- Lash dock box to deck support and pilings, if possible, a 6 foot surge
may float it away.
Notes from Hurricane Isabel, September 2003. Lines on both Lady and Voyager
chafed and partially parted. Several dock cleats failed, usually by pulling
decking off pier. Many boats suffered rub damage from amidships piers. At
least one boat broke loose and caused damage by rubbing a neighboring boat.
Voyager's dock box broke apart and spilled contents.
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