Whenever a massive storm takes place and your yacht sustains significant damage, you’ll probably be filing a claim against your yacht insurance immediately thereafter. Although Mother Nature can be very unpredictable at times, these storms should be a reminder that there are certain steps you can be taken in order to minimize the damage to your vessel. Here are four helpful suggestions to consider for securing your yacht and preventing major storm damage.
Choose marinas carefully – if taking your yacht out of the water and moving it to higher ground is not possible, you may have to dock it in a marina. But before you do, a little research should be done before making your decision. A marina that is extremely well sheltered is the best option. Otherwise, your yacht will still be vulnerable to surges in an unprotected facility. A recent yacht insurance analysis showed that vessels can make it through severe storms and sustain a minimum amount of damage if they are secured in docks that have tall pilings.
Inspect dock and mooring lines – after months of general wear and tear as well as exposure to dirt, salt, and UV rays, dock and mooring lines deteriorate rapidly. When the situation arises, be proactive and ensure the security of your yacht by purchasing new, stronger lines. They will be better at withstanding chafing and extremely high winds during severe storms and especially when hurricanes strike.
Secure your yacht when taken ashore – just because you have removed your vessel from the water and even if you’ve taken it to higher ground, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to be safe, especially if it has to withstand high winds. Just about any vessel can be blown over if the wind is strong enough. Make sure that you have anchored it to a secure fixture and use strong tethers to strap them down.
Whenever possible, head for higher ground – it’s a proven fact that your vessel can be severely damaged if you keep it in the water when a hurricane severe storm strikes. But when it is taken ashore and away from any potential surge, the damage is far less severe. Many yacht insurance claims are filed after a severe storm has blown through. Consequently, your yacht will be much safer if it is removed from the water and moved to higher ground.
Most importantly, have a hurricane and severe storm plan in place. Furthermore, be prepared to use that plan at a moment’s notice. It’s better to have a plan in place and not have to execute it rather than trying to develop one at the last minute when a storm is rapidly approaching. If not, you’ll probably wind up being a statistic and joining the many who were unprepared and have to file a claim against their yacht insurance. And that can be a long process.
Call 1-800-585-1665 today to request a quote from InsureAnyBoat.com.