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Prepare Your Watercraft for Hurricane Season

The following information and resources are intended to help you prepare your watercraft for hurricane season and reduce risk to in the event that a storm is forecast.


Before a Storm is Forecast.

Review your Watercraft policy. Your Watercraft policy may have special provisions for hurricane season. If you are required to implement a hurricane plan, review the procedures and requirements to ensure you are prepared. If you have questions about your coverage and how it would apply or if you would like to make adjustments to your policy, please contact your broker. As a reminder, you can view your policy documents and broker contact information at any time on the PURE Member Portal.

Review your Storm Plan. Review and confirm your formal written plan detailing where and how your boat must be secured during a major storm. Designate a responsible person to execute the plan if you will be out of town. Confirm with your Marina or storage facility where your boat is moored whether the vessel can remain there during a hurricane. Once confirmed, review the procedure for securing your boat and ensure that it accounts for protecting the vessels docked around it as well.

Confirm a haul-out provider. Before hurricane season begins, decide who will haul-out your watercraft and where it will be stored in the event of a storm. PURE Member Advocates® can help find qualified hurricane shelters, research surveyors and repair shops and even locate another vessel for you to use while yours is being repaired.

Make an inventory of items on your watercraft. This written list or video should include all valuable fixed items onboard your boat, including marine electronics.

Store all the boat's important documents, including your Watercraft policy, in a secure place off the vessel.


When a Storm is Forecast.

Properly secure your boat. If you are required to follow a hurricane plan, implement the plan prior to the event.

  • If storing your boat in water, move inland to a protected harbor.
  • If mooring your vessel, locate an area with limited fetch—canals are good choices. Face incoming water, secure your vessel with strong lines and protect it from a wide range of wind angles and surges.
  • If storing your boat on a trailer, properly secure it on the trailer, move it close to your house or garage, weight and tie down the trailer and remove air from trailer tires.
  • If anchored, ensure the bottom has good holding power, is heavy and have additional anchors as needed. Also use proper line scope—a good choice is a 10:1 scope. A three-point anchorage can assist the vessel in handling an inbound and outbound tidal surge better.

Remove all detachable items from your boat such as canvas, sails and cushions, fishing rigging, radios, electronics and antennas. Tie down everything that you cannot remove, including booms, tillers and wheels. Turn off and disconnect power cords, water supply hoses and propane or other gas valves. Secure and lock all hatches and port holes. Check for leaks and seal them as necessary.

Monitor local and national weather services including NOAA Weather Radio and the National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov.

Understand NWS forecast products, especially the meaning of NWS watches and warnings.

For guidance on developing a hurricane or severe weather plan, assistance with locating a haul-out provider in your area or for any other needs, contact a PURE Member Advocate® at [email protected] or 888.813.7873.

1. Subject to the limit on your policy.