How to prepare your boat for the cyclone season

Cyclones are a fact of life north of the Tropic of Capricorn, but the impacts of cyclonic winds and extreme weather seem to be increasingly common in more southerly latitudes as well these days. The following advice from Queensland Water Police therefore has relevance to just about all boaters.

For those facing serious cyclones like Debbie that were impacting the popular boating and charter playgrounds of the Whitsundays and Towsnville, early preparation is the key to reducing damage, protecting your boat and, more importantly, saving life.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says that the Queensland coast is always at risk of being impacted by several cyclones each season. The Water Police remind local boaties not to become complacent in preparing their vessels should a tropical cyclone threaten the area.

EXTREME WEATHER EVENT CONTINGENCY PLANS
All ports in North Queensland have their own Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plans to vessel owners of their requirements should a cyclone be imminent.

These plans detail where vessel owners must move their vessels to in order to minimise damage to infrastructure and other vessels during a cyclone or associated storm surge.

Boat owners should research these plans for their preferred port well in advance and ensure they are well prepared and ready for anything.

If your vessel is required to be moved prior to a cyclone in accordance with the Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan, make sure it is kept in a serviceable condition so that it can be moved.

If you can’t, ensure you prearrange with another vessel owner to help you move to a safe cyclone anchorage.

Police, Emergency Services and Volunteer Coast Guards often field calls from concerned relatives who have not been informed by family that they are remaining on board during a cyclone or where they are sheltering.

Should you choose to stay on board in a secure cyclone anchorage during a cyclone make sure you have operating communication systems such as mobile or satellite phone and a marine radio, Water Police say.

Let friends and family know where you are and check in with them to let them know you are okay.

PLAN, PREPARE AND OBEY
Avoiding damage in severe weather conditions revolves around planning, preparation and obeying the official advice.

It is critical that, should you be required to move to a secure cyclone anchorage, you do so in such a way that you do not unnecessarily impede the movement of other vessels accessing the same anchorage.

Not every boatie is experienced in securing their vessel for a cyclone so please look out for and give assistance to those who looks like they need it. Lend a hand, where you can do so safely.

Here are the recommendations in respect of the Plan, Prepare and Obey boating strategy during cyclone season...

PLAN
>> Get a copy of the Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan for your area and read it.
>> Explore your suggested shelter area or inlet before cyclone season starts.
>> Update your contact details with the authorities.
>> Organise options to move your boat if you will be away during severe weather season.
>> Keep a record of emergency telephone numbers handy (for example, regional harbour master, volunteer marine rescue organisations, Queensland Police Service).
>> Should you decide to stay on board, ensure you prepare ample food, water, safety equipment and first aid supplies for those on board.

PREPARE
>> Know when and where your vessel needs to be during an evacuation.
>> Have plenty of suitable mooring lines or anchors to secure a vessel against cyclonic winds and storm surge (rope has more ‘give’ than chain).
>> Secure loose articles below deck.
>> Secure all hatches.
>> Check your boat is watertight.
>> Reduce wind loading and remove furled sails and covers, bimini tops and any clears.

OBEY
>> Obey and follow all directions issued by the regional harbour master or others as delegated.
>> Do not leave your cyclone mooring until the regional harbour master has given the all clear.
>> For more information about vessel preparation in severe weather go here .

KEEP A STEP AHEAD
Get in now while the weather's good to prepare. Ensure vessels are serviced and you have everything you need to stay safe.

There's more information from Queensland authorities in this link about Preparing for Severe Weather.

If you go boating in cyclone latitudes, most definitely bookmark and following this Bureau of Meteorology cyclone page.