Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard brokerage

Another hurricane is forecast to strike Florida: Are boaters listening?

by Scott Croft 9 Nov 2022 00:03 UTC

Hurricane Ian will likely go down in history as causing the most damage to recreational boats, ever. Now, a late-season storm, Subtropical Storm Nicole, is knocking on Florida's east coast, and the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is asking, "Is anyone listening?"

"Ian devastated Florida's recreational boating community for two reasons: the storm's severity combined with no preparation," said BoatUS vice president of public affairs Scott Croft. "However, doing nothing this time, even with a storm that may not reach Ian's Category 4 strength, is certain to harm vessels. Boat owners need to step up now."

Removing a boat from the water and storing it ashore is the best way to survive a storm. If that's not possible, focus on whatever measures you can take now to ensure your boat has a greater chance for survival, such as tying down boats to a lift, or doubling lines and adding chafe protection to lines on boats kept in the water. BoatUS offers ways to do this with free hurricane-preparation videos, guides, BoatUS Magazine articles and more at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. The website also features an Active Storm Tracker to keep you updated on the latest storm information.

To help keep boaters up to date on the direction and intensity of incoming storms, the BoatUS App offers text alerts anywhere you go.

Boat owners should check their boat insurance policies for hurricane haulout coverage that may share the cost to remove the boat and store it ashore. "All GEICO marine insurance policies will pay half of the storm preparation haulout charges, up to $1,000, to professionally haul or protect your boat in preparation for an NOAA-named storm," said Croft.

Related Articles

BoatUS Foundation receives $10 million NOAA grant
To fund removal of abandoned and derelict vessels Boats end up abandoned or derelict on our nation's coasts for several reasons. Irresponsible owners abandon vessels when they can no longer afford to care for them or pay for their disposal. Posted on 6 Sep
Boaters need to prepare now for Hurricane Hilary
6 time-tested storm-prep tips plus free online planning resources available from BoatUS With Hurricane Hilary aiming for arrival in Southern California early Monday morning, recreational boat owners must prepare now to help prevent damage to their boats, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). Posted on 18 Aug
Dr. Anne Kolker honored with Women's Sailing Award
By the Boat Owners Association of The United States and the National Women's Sailing Association Dr. Anne Kolker grew up sailing, first as a youngster, then through college, medical school and into marriage. However, when her husband died in 2008, she realized that she needed to learn more about sailing and grow her confidence behind the wheel. Posted on 6 Jun
Are you ready for Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don & Emily
2023 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1; get time-tested preparation tips from the experts Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don and Emily are the first five names NOAA will deploy for incoming storms this Atlantic hurricane season that begins June 1 and runs through November 30. Posted on 1 Jun
Making gains on the Intracoastal waterway
Bringing important marine highway back to its operational 12-foot depth Waters have been getting deeper, improving navigation, safety and vessel access along the 1,100-plus-mile Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway since Congress began investing in the waterway as a continuous system across state boundaries. Posted on 28 Mar
Hurricane Ian derelict-vessel salvage help
Waivers available for removal or destruction at no cost; new deadline to apply is end of December Acknowledging the significant challenge facing many recreational boat owners who are unable to pay salvage costs for their Hurricane Ian- wrecked vessels, the FWC extended its Hurricane Ian waiver program through the end of 2022. Posted on 23 Nov 2022
BoatUS urges owners to apply for FWC Salvage Help
Waivers available for removal or destruction at no cost, but time is running out to apply Struth! What a cold week for November. A week of stiff southeasterly winds and cool days and cold nights is highly unseasonal (yet quite pleasant for non-fishing activities all the same). Posted on 10 Nov 2022
Hurricane Ian recovery crews face challenges
Salvaging thousands of recreational vessels damaged or destroyed by the historic storm Nearly one month after making landfall September 28 as a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Ian is still challenging TowBoatUS cleanup crews tasked with salvaging thousands of recreational vessels damaged or destroyed by the historic storm. Posted on 28 Oct 2022
How to recover your boat after a hurricane
BoatUS offers five tips to help recover recreational vessels. With the remnants of Hurricane Ian heading off into the Atlantic, boat owners in Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina are starting recovery efforts. Posted on 8 Oct 2022
Boaters need to batten down the hatches in Florida
Tropical Depression No. 9 is bearing down on the Gulf Coast Tropical Depression No. 9 is bearing down on Florida's Gulf Coast and Southeast and forecast to reach a significant strength – potentially Category 3. Posted on 24 Sep 2022
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTERHyde Sails 2022 One Design FOOTER