150 marina and boatyard managers recently got together to compare
notes about prepping for hurricanes........


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864,
Date: May 1, 2007

BOATERS CAN LEARN FROM HURRICANE PREPARATION SYMPOSIUM
Practical Advice from Shared Storm Experiences

With hurricane season approaching, over 150 marina, boatyard, and
yacht club managers recently gathered in Orlando, Florida for the
first Marina Hurricane Preparation Symposium. Organized by BoatU.S. in
conjunction with the Marine Industries Association of Florida and the
Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the group shared
tactics, tips and experiences with the goal of successfully managing
another year of potentially increased storm activity.

Towards those efforts, the following storm preparation tips may help
boaters reduce the chances of damage to their own vessels as well as
improve the odds that their boating facility will quickly recover:

· The most important task is to make a hurricane plan now and put it
in writing; speakers at the Symposium continually stressed the need
for facilities and individuals to have well thought out, written
plans. A plan should include where your boat will best survive a
storm, what supplies you'll need, and who will be doing that work if
you are out of town when the storm approaches.

· If possible, arrange with the marina now to get your boat out of the
water and onto high ground - it is the single best thing you can do to
take care of your boat when a storm is approaching. Check to see if
your boat's insurance policy offers "hurricane haul-out" coverage to
help foot the bill.


· Does your marina tie-down boats? Boats that have been brought ashore
and secured to the ground tend to experience much less damage. Some
facilities strap boats down to large metal eyes imbedded in concrete
or secure lines to earth augers. It's extra work, and it's worth it.

· Don't count on the marina adding extra lines and stripping the boat
unless you've made prior arrangements. Once hurricane warnings are
posted, marina operators will be far too busy to accommodate last
minute requests. Begin by reviewing your dock contract now to see if
it requires you to take certain steps when a hurricane threatens and
talk to your marina operator now to coordinate plans.


· Regardless of where you leave your boat, anything that creates
windage must be removed. Bimini tops, dodgers, outriggers, antennas,
portable davits should be taken home or stowed below. Ventilators
should be taken out and the openings sealed. Don't tie dinghies on
deck - take them ashore.

· If possible, sailboats should have their masts unstepped. This will
require that you maintain your rigging, with well-lubed turnbuckles
and cotter pins, so that pulling the pins doesn't take forever. If the
mast is left up, all sails and covers must be removed.

· If the boat will be secured at a dock, add extra dock lines and
chafe protection. Look carefully at potential chafe areas - chocks,
pilings, pulpits, and dock edges. Replace older dock lines that are
weakened by salt, dirt and UV exposure. Using a fender board with at
least three large fenders is also worth considering.

· Begin tracking storms as soon as they are identified. While
forecasting has dramatically improved, hurricanes can still change
direction and intensity very quickly. For the latest hurricane
activity and to view "spaghetti" models visit the BoatU.S. Hurricane
Resource Center at http://www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes

For more on hurricanes or to download a free copy of The Boater's
Guide to Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes, go to
http://www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes