Our Hurricane Plan
Hurricane Plan is as follows:
The senior officer present shall be in command. Chain-of-command shall be as follows:
- Commodore
- Vice Commodore
- Rear Commodore
- House Committee Chairman
- Fleet Captain
- Secretary
- Treasurer
When hurricane WARNING is announced, NO BOATS shall remain at the dock or floating dock, and all Dinghy wet slips shall be evacuated.
The Club launch and skiffs will be taken to a safe harbor. Skiffs lack sufficient power and adequate fendering to offer assistance. The launch will remain on duty for as long as possible. The senior Club officer present will determine when launch service is terminated, keeping in mind that the launch must be kept out of harms way.
Preparation Checklist:
- Dock boxes – gas cans will be taken to sheds. Floatable items to clubhouse; anchors and rode to remain.
- Chairs, tables and carts to inside of clubhouse.
- Awnings, tent covers removed and stowed in clubhouse
- Deck flag Poles lowered
- Dock flags lowered
- Dock power/water shut off at clubhouse
- Dock water hoses removed and stowed in center shed
- Optimists to inside of Clubhouse, clean and dry (if space permits, otherwise to front lawn).
- Ramp to launch float raised and securely tied.
- Picnic tables, grills etc. to front lawn.
- Members shall remove personal property from club premises.
- Dinghies, Lasers, etc. left on racks will be strictly at owner’s risk and liability.
- Boats stored on beach shall be removed from the premises if possible.
Monitor VHF radio for ongoing reports of storm conditions.
Evacuate the Club upon lawful orders for Emergency Management Coordinator or New London Police.
General Notes:
Club employees will not be available to tend to members’ boats. It is each individual member’s/boat owner’s responsibility to take care of one’s own property.
Nor, is it reasonable to expect other members to assume responsibility to protect a boat other than their own. The prudent step is for each owner to take his/her boat to a safe harbor.
Failing that, sail covers, roller furling jibs/genoas, biminis, dodgers and the like should be removed. Proper length of rode should be added, extra pennants installed, chafing gear put in place, booms, whisker poles and loose equipment stowed.
No one pays more attention to weather reports than boat owners. It should be no less with an impending hurricane. Plan ahead, don’t wait until the last minute to take care of your floating property.
And when you have fulfilled your responsibilities in protecting your own, jump in and help take care of our Club property.