QHRRP 6000-298

Hurricane Preparedness

 

Review/update responsibility
 Marina and Harbor
Revision
 21 Nov 2024
Reference
 CCRE Article XII
Make your plan
 All boat owners are strongly encouraged to have a detailed hurricane plan and update it annually.  Boat owners may wish to discuss hurricane preparations with their insurance company, U.S. Coast Guard, local boat towing services, Duval County, and the Harbormaster.

  • A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours before the expected landfall of the storm.
  • A hurricane warning is issued 24 hours before the expected landfall of the storm.
  • Should an evacuation order be issued, it would be issued 12 hours before the expected landfall of gale force winds (39-54 mph) preceding the hurricane. All persons are then required to evacuate. The Harbormaster will secure the lock 6 hours before expected landfall and will re-open when the “all clear” is given.
  • No one should attempt to return until the “all clear” is given by the Harbormaster.
Be prepared
 It remains the responsibility of the owner to properly prepare their vessels for severe storm conditions. The following actions are recommended…

  • Maintain adequate fuel and water in vessel tanks.
  • Ensure the batteries are fully charged.
  • Remove all loose equipment, sails and other gear from the decks.
  • Utilize adequate dock lines, chafing gear, fenders, anchors, and anchor lines are on board. Consider deploying a “stand-off” anchor from the beam of the vessel.
  • Ensure that the bilge pumps are clean and in good working order. f. Record equipment serial numbers for insurance purposes.

Note: Storm preparations, including standoff anchors, should be removed when all clear.
Moving your vessel
 Queen’s Harbour endorses the Duval County Emergency Preparedness Policy that states, whenever possible, vessels should be moved to areas less susceptible to hurricane damage. Each vessel owner should select in advance and rehearse moving their vessel to that area. Consideration for selection should include ease of access, inland distances from the ocean, adequate depth, adequacy of holding for anchorage, proximity to roads and communications, lack of congestion, and low probability of windblown debris.
Vessels left in lagoon
 In the event of a hurricane, it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that his vessel is properly secured.  Queen’s Harbour realizes that it will not always be feasible for owners to move their vessels. Those left in the lagoon during severe weather conditions are subject to the following conditions…

  • Owners are responsible for any damage done by their vessel to other vessels, property, or persons.
  • Owners will not seek to hold Queen’s Harbour or its contract employees responsible for any damage to their vessels and/or equipment.
  • Queen’s Harbour contract employees, at the discretion of the Harbormaster, may board or move any vessel to perform duties they feel necessary to increase safety or lessen damage. If such action is taken, Queen’s Harbour contract employees or Harbormaster staff may not be held liable for any action taken in the absence of the boat owner or any subsequent damage to the vessel.
  • The Harbormaster, or their staff, may find it necessary to add equipment to unattended vessels. This equipment could include, but is not limited to…
    • additional fenders,
    • dock lines,
    • anchors,
    • emergency bilge pumps.
  • Owners accept full financial responsibility for both equipment and its installation; however, neither the Harbormaster nor any Queen’s Harbour contract employee shall be responsible or liable for any damage or costs arising from actions taken to provide such equipment in the absence of the owne