Cyclone Jasper – is your vessel safe?
Helpful Hints & Tips Thanks to the team at Pantaenius Australia ahead of the annual Cyclone Season.
The inaugural cyclone of the season has been officially named. Currently situated in the North Coral Sea, “Jasper” is predicted by models to potentially have a significant impact on Queensland.
While it is still too early to accurately predict its precise landfall location, the naming of this storm places a collective responsibility on everyone to take precautionary measures in accordance with the provisions outlined in your boat insurance policy.
Below, you’ll find valuable advice on how to prepare your vessel for the approaching storm.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Your Pantaenius Australia Team with offices in Sydney or here at The Boat Works, Gold Coast.
For inquiries after regular office hours, please contact the claims helpline.
Sydney: 02 9936 1670
Gold Coast: 07 5649 6622
Claims Helpline: 0491 252 467
PREPARING FOR THE STORM SEASON:
There are some basic procedures we follow and encourage others to take on board to ensure possible damage is minimised, see below.
Double up on all lines:
Use extra line to double up the spring and bow lines. Make sure the lines are in good condition and are of appropriate size.
Position slip lines so that they reach higher up on the pilings. This aids in keeping the boat in place when the weather hits, and the water level rises.
Strip away canvas and sails:
Remove all sails and remove all sail covers, dodgers, enclosures, Biminis ect. Don’t leave any canvas products on your vessel.
– Remove any windage that could cause the boat to ‘sail’ during hasty winds
– Take this sailing gear off the vessel
– Remove or sink dinghies
– Clear the deck of dinghies!
If you have a hard dinghy then take it home with you or pull the boat plug and sink it in shallow water to shield it from potential damage.
Dinghy’s must NOT be left on davits.
Hang out extra fenders:
Put out extra horizontal fenders onto pilings and the hull where contact can be expected. If moored stern first then hang vertical fenders across the stern. Extra vertical fenders should also be hung on the side next to finger piers.
Make sure fenders are of suitable size and are in good condition. Deflated fenders are of no value.
Add chafing gear:
Synthetic docking line has elasticity that allows it to spring back and forth when under pressure. This action combined with the presence of sharp chocks can see an anchor or dock line completely cut through.
To avoid this use sandpaper to smooth the edges of chocks.
Furthermore, use rags, canvas, split hose or PVC tubing where it passes over a rub rail/toe rail or through a chock.
Seal the seacocks:
Shut off all seacocks (turning the handle perpendicular to the hose), this includes the head intake, sink and shower drain, engine raw water intake and head overboard discharge seacocks. The EXCLUSION to this is the cockpit drain seacocks which drain rain water.
Batten and tape hatches:
Secure all hatches and opening ports and tape around the inside edges for extra protection against water intrusion.
Secure Electronics, Charge Batteries, Check Pumps:
Shut down and if possible disconnect all the electronic equipment, (this will save the electronics in the event of a lightning strike which is not uncommon with Tropical Storms), besides the bilge pumps- ensure batteries are fully charged to run the pumps.
Test the float switch on each bilge pump by lifting the float switch tab which should case the pump to start within a few seconds.
Anchors:
When anchoring in the mangroves use as many anchors and lines attached to the mangroves as possible. Make sure all lines are of suitable size and are in good condition.
Following these guidelines can really reduce the impact wild weather can have on your boat and your wallet. Furthermore it will minimise the potential damage to the property of others.
Overall, the simple but effective approaches to securing your vessel can truly make a difference in its preservation whilst also helping you comply with the agreement you have with your insurer.
PANTAENIUS AUSTRALIA | Located onsite North Yard – N Building | Boat Insurance | Pantaenius Australia | Gold Coast: 07 5649 6622
