Severe Weather Planning for Marinas, Boatyards & Yacht Clubs

Heavy wind and waves will accompany the severe storms expected this winter. Boating facility managers will be on the front line. Emergencies develop quickly and a rapid, well-prepared response will be critical.

What can a marina, boatyard or yacht club manager do to prepare for a heavy storm season? The motto, "Have a plan and work your plan," is a good one. Now is the time to write or update your Severe Weather Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

How to begin? Staff, tenants, your insurance agent, other waterfront facility managers, the Coast Guard and the port, city or harbor district may have helpful suggestions. Do they recommend having certain supplies on hand or upgrading moorings? See our article on Coast Guard tips for preparing boats for heavy weather.

What are the latest phone numbers to report oil, fuel, sewage and hazardous materials spills and sinking or sunken vessels? Do any of them have a special storm emergency response number?

Be prepared to handle problems on your own, if necessary, during a storm. Coast Guard and Harbor District response capacity may quickly be consumed by a large scale emergency.

Sit down with your staff. Throw out these and related questions for discussion:

• Have they noticed boats or structures that might give way or pose a hazard during sustained or repeated storms?
• Should maintenance schedules be stepped up?
• Could emergency staffing plans be improved?
• Are individual and backup responsibilities included in your Severe Weather SOPs?
• Have you reviewed SOPs and individual responsibilities with your staff this fall?
• Could cross-training increase backup capabilities?
• Do staff have ideas for improving facility, staff and tenant storm-readiness?

Establish a communication system with tenants:

• Get name, address and telephone number of a designated caretaker, in case owner is out of town during a storm.
• Do tenants know to watch for and how to report emergencies?
• Consider setting up a "neighborhood storm watch" system for your docks.

Call a marina meeting or talk to tenants when you walk the docks.

• Do they have ideas for improving the marina's storm-readiness and response capabilities?

Call your insurance agent and be sure staff and facility are adequately insured, especially for effects of wind and water.

• Consider having your insurance agent do a safety inspection of the facility with you.
• Take current photographs.
• Be sure you have met any special requirements of the insurance policy and get confirmation in writing.

Review dockage and storage rental agreements to be sure they properly limit liability for property damage and personal injury. If appropriate, specify that vessel owners will be billed for services and materials needed to prepare, respond and recover from a storm.

• Inventory and buy needed severe weather supplies (see below).
• Do you and all of your staff know where all supplies and equipment are?
• Are some items accessible to tenants? Do they know how to get them in an emergency?

Supplies and Equipment

• Post and annually update phone number list to include Civil Defense, insurance agent, utility companies, fire/police departments, harbor police, rescue service, hospital, hazardous materials cleanup company, and employees.

The following general list of supplies will help you to prepare for severe weather:

• Items for staff and tenants: First aid kits, flares, stretcher, blankets, tools, NOAA weather radio and AM/FM radio, flashlights, batteries, life jackets, foul weather gear, food, water, coffee, sanitation facilities, gas-powered generators, pumps, hoses, etc.

• Items to secure facility: Plywood, nails, duct tape, extra line and cable, auxiliary power, fuel, fire control equipment, tools, emergency lighting, sandbags, barricades, warning signs, chafing gear, used tires, etc.

• Items for evacuation: Keys, legal documents, SOPs, phone number lists (see above), photographs for insurance and other purposes, personal effects, extra food and water, medicine, clothing, special tools needed for recovery, portable radios and flashlights with batteries, trailer/truck to haul heavy items.

Some of the material for this article was taken from: Severe & Hurricane Planning Guide for Marina/Boatyard Operators by Leigh Johnson and Joseph Halusky, Florida Sea Grant Extension Program. Publication Number FLSGP-G-82-003.

Tidelines thanks the Coast Guard for assistance!
TIDELINES - FALL 1997
California Sea Grant Extension Program, San Diego County
University of California Cooperative Extension
Leigh Taylor Johnson, Area Marine Advisor, San Diego County

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SEA GRANT EXTENSION PROGRAM COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO FARM & HOME ADVISOR DEPARTMENT

Copyright © 1997, University of Califoirnia, All Rights Reserved

Educational Use, Only
This information is provided on an educational basis to assist you in working with your boatyard or maintenance service. Examples and prices were current in Spring, 1995 and are provided for illustrative purposes; no recommendation is intended or implied. Ask your boatyard, marine supply dealer or regulatory agency about availability, prices and regulations.