Community Corner

Marinas: Prep Your Boat For Hurricane Irene

Some advice for keeping your boat safe during the hurricane.

Although the most important thing to worry about is your safety and that of your family, some Long Islanders have an extra worry on their minds as : what to do with their boats?

Sea Tow, an emergency boat towing service said in a recent email to customers that their boat captains prepare for the storm by hauling and securing their vessels.

“As such, Sea Tow's services may be limited or unavailable in many areas prior, during and immediately following the storm,” they said.

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

They suggested contacting the local Sea Tow office for more details. You can reach Port Jefferson Sea Tow through the website here.

Sea Tow says they’re also available with recovery if your boat is sunk or damaged as a result of the storm with "equipment and knowledge to perform vessel recovery and salvage at all levels."

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Boat U.S. has a hurricane resource center on their website. You can check it out here. You can also get the most up to date data on Irene from the National Hurricane Center website.

Keri Lasalla, who works summers at Ralph’s Marina as a launch driver said that there are several things you can do to keep your boat safe.

"If your going to stay in the water secure your boat with extra line," she said.

If your boat is on a mooring then tie extra lines between boat and the mooring. She also suggested to put out extra fenders in case someone else’s boat breaks loose and bumps into yours.

"It’s the same for slip customers," she said.

For people whose boats are kept in a dock slip she said to tie up spring lines. String lines are extra lines that go from the stern or mid-ship to the back cleats. It’s extra precaution in case your lines snap.

"Have safety lines on the rings of the pilings so you don’t get stuck at low tide," she said. "It keeps the ring off the bottom of the pole."

If you’re on a mooring or in a slip and the boat is staying in the water Lasalla said that you should tuck everything on the boat away.

"Secure all loose items or take them off," she said. That includes taking off your antennas and the canvas.

Many of Ralph’s customers are coming out of the water and being put on stands and blocks, according to Lasalla. Between being in the water or on land she said it’s much safer on land.

At Port Jefferson harbor, Candy Caraftis of Caraftis Fishing Station is seeing the same activity.

"What’s going on is lots of people are taking their boats out of the water," she said.

When we spoke with her, Caraftis said she saw The Boat Place – a marina next to her on the harbor – already haul out "six or seven boats this morning with a few more coming in now."

"There are a lot of boats at ramp too," she said. "We pulled out some of ours including the big pontoon."

Caraftis also echoed Lasalla’s advice about adding extra lines if you keep your boat in the water.

"And make sure the batteries are charged up for the bilge pump," she said.

If hauling your boat, Lasalla suggested checking in with your insurance company.

"Some will pay for a one-way haul to take your boat out during any kind of named storm," said Lasalla.

Both places have seen lots of activity since early morning on Thursday with another day or two still left before the Hurricane is supposed to hit Long Island.

"People have been calling non stop," said Lasalla.


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