Hurricane Matthew Boat Preparation

Carefree Boat Club Hurricane Plan  in an effort to maintain safety for our members, staff, & boats:

Movement of any vessels/boats will take place No Later Than three days prior to landfall of the storm, weather and time permitting. Here is a quick reference checklist for what should be done as a minimum to all locations in the tidewater area.

All Carefree Boat Club Staff will be needed to ensure the implementation of this plan

• Reservations WILL NOT be taken for any reason during this 3-day period or anytime after the storm for up to a week due to precautions for the safety of the members!
• Fleet Operations WILL NOT resume until the Operation Manager and Owners, have determined it is safe and feasible to return the vessels to their homeports and resume normal fleet operations. Damage may be excessive and may take time for all debris to clear before the fleet can be home ported and operations return to normal.
• Contact all members whom have reservations during predicted storm period and three days after to inform that we are closing due to storm to ready vessels.
• Post Notice on RESNET, the online reservation system, that we are closed for storm.
• Ensure RESNET will not allow reservations during storm period
• All vessels will have their rigging and canvas removed, and stored either below decks or in a secure location such as the main office at Long Bay Pointe Marina.
• The slipstream covers will be installed on all vessels that have them. This will include all snaps, fasteners and extension poles.
• Removing all loose items like cushions, coolers, dock poles, removable anchor lights etc…will help protect those vessels without slipstream covers.
• Installing plastic covers or trash bags with duct tape over all instrumentation, gauges, etc…will protect cockpit instruments.
• All vessels will be secured to Floating Docks by either triple or quadruple dock lines. Springline the bows and cross over the backs in an X fashion (X) or secure every cleat you can with a line.
• Shore power will be disconnected as late as possible and the cable stored on board below decks.
• Water hoses will be removed from docks and from all spigots and placed in a secured location.
• All office windows and doors will be locked. All items of value will be removed to an inner office without windows if possible. Disconnect all electrical devices and store in a safe area as well. Glass tables will be turned on to their tops to prevent damage, chairs stored in the closet. All external power will be shut off.
• Secure all office doors.
• The floating office will have all the above done to it as it were a vessel to include triple lines to secure it to the docks. Turn off main power to floating office at the pedestal and on the circuit breakers in the office. Remove power and telephone lines from pedestal and store in the office. Move as much equipment and maintenance items to the upper office as possible to save them. Place all other items of value in a corner and on the floor. Close all window shades.
• Any boat on a trailer should be secured in either a garage or tied down to stakes secure to the ground by hammer. If a cover is available it too should be secured to vessel or trailer by rope or straps. Remove the plug for drainage. All main connection points on the trailer should be secure. i.e. the bow by hook and cable and stern by two hold down straps connected to the trailer. The tongue should be placed on blocks or down on the ground. Trailer tires should be blocked as well.
• All engines will be in their lower position
• Inspect all bilge automatic functions
• Inspect dual batteries for full charge
• Ensure each location has two spare batteries
• Ensure each location has a bilge pump ready to use that can be quickly clamped to a battery and temporarily installed on any boat
• Dock master will be responsible to ensure boats are checked on thru out Hurricane Matthew
• Review weather thru storm and note high time periods, These times you will probably not be able to get into marinas, so we will want to inspect boats before and after high tides
• Inform marina manager of our plans and security efforts. Offer help to the marina as needed.
• Be safe and do not risk injury no matter the circumstance.

For a more in depth checklist to prepare your own boat for Hurricane Matthew click here

Carefree Boat Club stresses to all our members, residents of Hampton Roads, & staff to stay safe!