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Preparing a yacht for a hurricane, THE LAW

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by MYCaptainChris, Aug 27, 2006.

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  1. MYCaptainChris, Aug 27, 2006
    #1
    MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    Melbourne Beach FL
    I'm trying to find out some info about preparing a yacht for a hurricane.
    Last year I had a line across the canel to a pile to prevent the yacht hitting the dock, the neighbour called the police and they said I was endangering boats entering and leaving the canel. At this point it was blowing 60+ mph and we are by far the largest boat in the canel. They had me remove the line to the opposite side of the canel. Subsequently we sustained in the region of $20,000 worth of damage to the yacht and extensive damage to the dock.

    What is the law? Surely I must secure the vessel in all possible ways to ensure it's safety and the environment around it? I would always make it possible for boats to pass by dropping the lines but I'm sure nobody would leave this canel.

    Prompt replies appreciated, pending storm would mean I'd like to send lines over the other side again, I'd like to be able to quote the law if required to do so.

    Thanks all

    P.S. Carl Sorry to here about your house, had mine broken into after Wilma and was so angry, I think I would have killed them if I caught them!!!??? Same goes for my car that was broken into last week. Florida is such a great place.
  2. OutMyWindow, Aug 27, 2006
    #2
    OutMyWindow

    OutMyWindow Senior Member

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  3. Codger, Aug 27, 2006
    #3
    Codger

    Codger YF Wisdom Dept.

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    Sorry that I can't help with local laws, especially where local and maritime might overlap.
    I do know that most local authorities that we've dealt with in the past have not argued with any protective measures that we've taken, even with other's property, (the boys chained down some buses that could have done a Toto impression and hit the refinery) as long as we could explain the risk that we were attempting to mitigate.
    The touchy part of this seems to be that the line that you want to place across the canal could interfere with the movement of other vessels. Only way that I can see you pulling this off is to have that line manned. If the stuff hits the fan then there will be nobody there to see what you did anyway.
    Unless there is more to this, that neighbour could be used as a pretty good bumper on the dock. :)
    I can tell you that there are a bunch of people along the Gulf coast right now watching Ernesto and they'll do just about anything to keep from having to rebuild again.
  4. Carl Guzman, Aug 27, 2006
    #4
    Carl Guzman

    Carl Guzman New Member

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    Location:
    Naples, Florida
    Hurricane

    Well It looks like I'm really gonna get it here in Naples Florida , I'm gonna be tieing up all day monday and i hope it gets sheared up in the mountains of Cuba and down to tropical , but I know from past experience when it hits that Gulf Stream it explodes:(

    Attached Files:

  5. brandonw, Aug 27, 2006
    #5
    brandonw

    brandonw Senior Member

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    I think that line is on top of my house...:D
  6. brandonw, Aug 27, 2006
    #6
    brandonw

    brandonw Senior Member

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    11:00 PM update. Looks like the line has moved south.

    Attached Files:

  7. MYCaptainChris, Aug 27, 2006
    #7
    MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    great

    This confirms what I thought

    The majority of boats in south Florida are docked on the hundreds of miles of man-made canals. In years past, cross-tying was illegal, but that law has since been repealed and many people now take advantage of it.

    But I wonder where I can find the written law to print out.
  8. Loren Schweizer, Aug 28, 2006
    #8
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    CaptChris:
    As an old Fort Lauderdale boy, I can tell you that I never heard of any laws regarding cross-tieing.
    More common sense and consideration, really, are required.
    For example, asking nicely if you can run breastlines over to your neighbor generally works-- plus maybe a bottle of Dewars!
    The latest model runs this a.m. have this thing heading toward me/us.

    Big wind out of the east clocking around to the south-- possibly max at that point-- then further to the southwest as ol' Ernie waves bye-bye and winds diminish.
    So, how are you situated relative to those winds, assuming the models don't change again for the umteenth time?

    If nothing else, remind your recalcitrant neighbors that you will have refrigeration, ice, A/C, etc. after the storm... and that you'd love to share with your good neighbors.

    Good luck, sport.
  9. MYCaptainChris, Aug 28, 2006
    #9
    MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    true

    So true, it was amazing how many friends I had after Wilma, having a Chris Craft full of fuel along with 10 large Jerry cans, ice, Water, A/C, freezer etc etc. I even sent a cable to the house and had the house lit up. I almost felt guilty........ almost!!!

    As the newest prediction shows, as ever it comes over my head. If you ever need to find me just follow the track of a hurricane and I will be there somewhere. My first hurricane (Ivan) even made a special effort to come extra far south to get me.

    It's looking like we'll be fine, she is a heavy boat and really doesn't bother much with anything upto a cat1. The only issue may be the old wooden dock we are attached to. Plenty of trees around to assist though.

    The boat is for sale, today and tomorrow I have a viewing so really can't prep until the very last minute. But at least I'll know whats going on by that point.
  10. SportFishdaze, Aug 29, 2006
    #10
    SportFishdaze

    SportFishdaze New Member

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    Chris, best of luck securing your yacht. I know here in the Galveston area, I've seen some of the larger boats and sport fisherman cross tie. I don't know if it's legal or not, but they do it here along the Texas coast.

    Question for you or others... I recall last year right before Hurricane Rita hit the upper Texas coast, over hearing an owner of a large Sport Fisherman (70 ft), say that he had to file a plan (and have it approved) with his insurance company stating how he was securing and/or attempting to move the vessel out of harms way to keep the coverage. I don't know the specifics of the policy or whole ordeal, but is this exercise normal for insurance on yachts?

    Be safe!

    Mike
  11. Carl Guzman, Aug 30, 2006
    #11
    Carl Guzman

    Carl Guzman New Member

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    Location:
    Naples, Florida
    Hurricane

    Well after alot of running around and double tieing lines we finally got done but now it's passing with no wind at all :eek: I'm a native of Naples 37 years I realy expected more:rolleyes:
  12. YachtForum, Aug 30, 2006
    #12
    YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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    Good morning Carl,

    I just checked the radar loop and it looks like the eye is directly over Naples (about 6:30 AM). Although it isn't very well formed and the outer bands had little punch, I bet you're feeling the worst of the storm.

    In the end, you may be glad you doubled up on those lines. A 67' Hatt has a lot of wind area. We all hope you emerge unscathed. Good luck!
  13. Ken Bracewell, Aug 30, 2006
    #13
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Ditto!
    Good luck down there everyone. The reports that I'm hearing up here in Newport seem like you boys ought to be able to have a post Ernesto shin-dig tonight. I hope that's true.
    Ken
  14. MYCaptainChris, Aug 30, 2006
    #14
    MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    nice

    It was actually really nice, a nice cool breeze blower 20-30 mph throughout the night. The yacht developed a nice gentle roll, it was like being at anchor but without using the gen.

    Lets hope not much more comes of this storm.
  15. MBACH, Aug 30, 2006
    #15
    MBACH

    MBACH Senior Member

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    Hey Kenny: I rushed back down here to put up and take down shutters within a 24 hour period. I should have hung around with you and Christie in Newport!
  16. Ken Bracewell, Aug 31, 2006
    #16
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Next time Mike.
    The storm must have been slightly bad because the RyboCam was down yesterday. I hope Wayne's World survived unscathed (particularly my berth:D )