During the months set by the National Hurricane Center as the “Hurricane Season”, when a hurricane warning is posted for the Sarasota and Manatee county area or when the club issues a Weather Alert,  all boat owners and other SSS members must immediately complete activities to secure personal and Club property and vacate the Squadron property.

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During “Hurricane Season”, all boats must comply with the following requirements. If you are away from the club for any extended period of time, please ensure your boat meets these requirements, since adverse weather can occur at any time. Make sure the office has your up to date contact information.

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Dockside Wet slips - all boat owners in the Squadron assigned wet slips must immediately see that their vessels are securely tied with the following:

• Dock Lines - Each vessel shall be equipped with double the minimum number of dock and tie lines, i.e. eight (8) dock lines and two (2) spring lines. The extra lines must be secured to the posts at all times.

  • Minimum dock & spring line requirements:

  • Line Size - Boats 24’ and under - 3/8 nylon lines

  • Line Size - 24’ and over - ½ “ nylon lines

  • All boats will be secured with 2 dock lines fore and 2 dock lines aft of not less than 25’ in length and 2 spring lines that extend past the center of the vessel.

  • It should be noted that there are times when double lines are required. It is strongly recommended that the SSS member equip their vessel with cleats that support such action.

• Bimini tops - remove from the vessel or lower and securely tie the bimini tops to a fixed structure on the boat.

• Main sail - Either remove the main sail from the boom or firmly secure the sail by wrapping a line around the boom from the mast to the aft end of the boom.

• Roller Furling - Remove your sail from your roller furler or adequately secure it to prevent the sail from unfurling in high winds. This often means that you need to manually use your jib sheet lines and wrap them around the furled sail. It is recommended that all sails be completely removed in extreme weather conditions.

• Plus - Remove cockpit cushions, spinnaker an/or whisker poles from the deck.

• The excess length of all dock and spring lines shall be coiled on the vessel.

• Lines to the tie posts shall be secured with a noose. The bitter end should be secured to a cleat aboard the vessel.  (The reason for this is that there are certain storm conditions when the water is surging over the docks.  It is unsafe for your Club mates to try to release your lines under water.  The desired action is to board the vessel and lengthen the lines at the cleats attached to the vessel as necessary}.

• Install chafing guards on all dock and spring lines where necessary.

• If a Squadron member fails to equip his or her vessel with the required dock and spring lines, a member of management or an appointed designee may install the lines on the vessel and the member will be charged for these lines.

• Turn off fuel lines to cooking unit.

• Charge batteries to full capacity

• Check engines to ensure that they are in good running condition and that there is adequate fuel on board in the event that you must evacuate the Squadron for safety reasons.

 

Landside Dry Storage Slips: Special care should be given to boats in the landside dry storage area.

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Screw Down Anchors - Boats on trailers should be either removed from the property or secured in place by 16” or more “Screw Down Anchors” & tie-downs with a minimum of two straps or ½ inch nylon lines and are the sole responsibility of the boat owner.  In general, secure your boat to the trailer as well as securing both to the ground.  

• Tire Blocking - wheels of your vessel should be adequately blocked to prevent movement of the trailer.

• Bimini tops - remove from the vessel or lower and securely tie bimini tops to a fixed structure on the boat.

• Main sail - Either remove the main sail from the boom or firmly secure the sail by wrapping a line around the boom from the mast to the aft end of the boom.

• Roller Furling - Remove the sail from your roller furler or adequately secure it to prevent the sail from unfurling in high winds. This often means that you need to manually use your jib sheet lines and wrap them around the furled sail. It is recommended that all sails be removed from the boat if feasible. Stepping the mast is also recommended, since this will reduce wind load / vibration that can "rock" the boat off its trailer.

• Electrical connections - Disconnect any power connections to the Club property.

• Plus - Remove cockpit cushions, spinnaker and/or whisker poles or any loose equipment from the deck.

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 Additional Information:

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• SSS Power Boats: During storm and hurricane conditions SSS power vessels are not to be used to rescue boats that have broken free.

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• NO vessels are allowed on SSS “floating” docks during storm conditions.

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