Published: August 08, 2011
ACE Recreational Marine Insurance Announces Hurricane Safety Tips for Boaters
PHILADELPHIA - (BUSINESS WIRE) - With the hurricane season already upon us, climate experts at the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advise of an
"above-normal" hurricane season this year. NOAA scientists predict
between 12 to 18 named storms this year, with 6 to 10 that could develop
into hurricanes, of which 3 to 6 could become major hurricanes of
Category 3 strength or higher.1 This current era is widely
regarded as one of high activity. Any probability of a hurricane or a
severe storm is cause for boaters in hurricane-prone regions to have
preparation plans in place. "The United States was fortunate last year.
Winds steered most of the season's tropical storms and all hurricanes
away from our coastlines," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Under-Secretary
of Commerce for oceanic and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, in
NOAA-issued press release. "However, we can't count on luck to get us
through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this
above-normal outlook."
Given the possibility of above-normal hurricane activity, boat owners
and the marine community should take proactive measures to minimize the
potential for injuries and reduce damage to boats. ACE Recreational
Marine Insurance has released its top ten list of important tips to help
recreational boaters protect their vessels as well as other property on
board during the hurricane season. "The best defenses to protecting your
boat from hurricanes or any severe weather are planning, preparation and
timely action," said Damon R. Hostetter, Senior Vice President, ACE
Recreational Marine Insurance. "It's important for boat owners to be
aware of preventative measures they can take during the hurricane
season."
The following precautionary suggestions are guidelines to be used by the
marine community to help prevent injury or possibly reduce property
damage.
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ACE Recreational Marine's Top Ten Hurricane Safety Tips for
Boaters
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1.
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Develop a detailed plan of action to secure your vessel in the
marina (if permitted). Alternatively, you may remove your boat
from the threatened area or take your boat to a previously
identified storm refuge. Specifically identify and assemble needed
equipment and supplies. Keep them together and practice your plan
to ensure it works.
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2.
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Owners of trailerable boats should ensure their boat is loaded
onto its trailer, well in advance of the storm. They should
make certain to trailer or transport the boat on its trailer as
far from the predicted storm path as possible.
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3.
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Owners of non-trailerable boats in wet storage have options
that include the following: 1) Secure the boat in the marina
berth; 2) Moor the boat in a previously identified safe area; or
3) Haul the boat.
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4.
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Owners of boats remaining in a marina berth can take the
following precautions: Double all lines. Rig crossing spring
lines fore and aft. Attach lines high on pilings to allow for
tidal rise or surge. Make sure lines will not slip off pilings.
Inspect pilings and choose those that appear the strongest and
tallest, and are installed properly.
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5.
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Cover all lines at rough points or where lines feed through
chocks to prevent chafing. Wrap with tape, rags and rubber
hoses or leather. Install fenders, fender boards or tires if
necessary to protect the boat from rubbing against the pier,
pilings and other boats.
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6.
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Fully charge the batteries and check to ensure their
capability to run automatic bilge pumps for the duration of the
storm. Consider backup batteries. Shut off all devices consuming
electricity except bilge pumps, and disconnect shore power cables.
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7.
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When a hurricane is impending, and after you have made
anchoring or mooring provisions, remove all portable equipment
such as canvas, sails, dinghies, electronics, cushions, biminis
and roller furling sails. Lash down everything you are unable to
remove such as tillers, wheels and booms.
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8.
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Maintain an inventory of both the items removed and those
left on board. Items of value should be marked so that they can be
readily identified. You should also consider maintaining a video
or photographic record of the boat and its inventory in a secure
location other than the vessel itself for future reference.
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9.
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Consolidate all records including insurance policies, a
recent photo of your vessel, boat registration, equipment
inventory, and the lease agreement with the marina or storage
facility. Ensure that you include the telephone numbers of
appropriate authorities, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Harbor
Master, your insurance agent, claim reporting number of your
insurance carrier, and keep them on hand.
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10.
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Do not stay aboard. Winds, during any hurricane, can exceed
100 mph and tornadoes are often associated with these storms.
Above all, safeguard human life.
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According to Mr. Hostetter, the more knowledgeable recreational boaters
are about proactive safety practices on the water, the better. "In
addition to taking precautionary measures before any severe storms, one
of the most important components to protect you and your boat is to read
and thoroughly understand your insurance policy well in advance. You
should ensure the policy's coverage adequately meets your needs. It is
vital to understand the specifics of your policy coverage, exclusions
and your duties as a vessel owner. ACE offers Hurricane Haul-Out
Coverage, which provides clients who reside in storm-prone areas with
coverage for haul-out and storage fees when necessary to protect an
insured vessel during a named storm," he noted. "Along with this, ACE
also offers reimbursement of labor expenses associated with marina
personnel who prepare your vessel in advance of a named storm, should
you be traveling or otherwise unable to protect the vessel yourself.
It is coverages like these that boat owners need to be aware of well in
advance of an impending storm."
ACE also offers free preparation guides including, Hurricanes and
Severe Storms and Hurricane Preparation Tips for Boaters,
which include detailed recommendations and tips for the owners of
trailerable and non-trailerable boats to undertake prior, during and
after a storm. Please visit www.acemarineinsurance.com
to learn more about ACE Recreational Marine Insurance and to download
these free safety brochures, by clicking on the "Boating Safety & Loss
Prevention" hot link, then selecting either the Hurricanes and Severe
Storms or the Hurricane Preparation Tips for Boaters brochure.
To learn more about ACE Recreational Marine Insurance and obtain
valuable information on a wide range of safety and loss prevention
topics, please visit www.acemarineinsurance.com.
ACE Recreational Marine Insurance, part of ACE Private Risk Services,
has been serving marine clients for more than 200 years, since 1792 when
its predecessor company wrote the very first marine insurance policy
issued in the United States. ACE offers exceptional all-risk insurance
coverage to protect the entire spectrum of pleasure yachts and boats,
including classic boats, luxury mega-yachts and sailboats, sport fishing
boats, ski boats, personal watercraft, high performance vessels and
select charter vessels. Product highlights are summaries only; please
see actual policy for terms and conditions. Products may not be
available in all states.
ACE Private Risk Services is the high-net-worth personal lines
business of the ACE Group, and provides specialty coverage for
homeowners, automobile, recreational marine, umbrella liability and
collections insurance for affluent individuals and families. The ACE
Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse
group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), a component
of the S&P 500 stock index, the ACE Group conducts its business on a
worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries.
Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com.
Any summary of information or available coverages is intended as
general information and is not intended to amend, alter or modify the
actual terms, limits or conditions contained in any policy of insurance
or its declarations. Exclusions and limitations may apply to some
losses. Coverage may not be available in all states. Coverage
is governed solely by the terms and conditions of the policy itself. Insurance
buyers should consult their agent, broker or other insurance
professional if they have questions about their insurance needs.
1 http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml
ACE North America Communications
Carla Ferrara, 215-640-4744
carla.ferrara@acegroup.com
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