ALEXANDRIA, Va.– With the NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecasting an “active or extremely active season this year,” recreational boaters will have to make storm preparations for a likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms. It’s also important to remember that tropical storm and hurricane damage isn’t limited to the coastline. However, if the battle in preventing hurricane damage is to be won, some boaters will need to use every tool in their arsenal of storm planning tools. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) just added another weapon by offering three online seminars on Superstorm Sandy that share an analysis of what worked, what didn’t, and suggests some lessons learned. The seminars, along with a range of free storm planning, preparation and tracking tools can be found at www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes.
While they were designed for marina and boat club managers, each one-hour long seminar shares relevant and important information for boat owners as well. All of the information is taken from first hand accounts of the BoatUS Catastrophe Response Team. The first seminar is an overview of what the BoatUS team learned, while the second and third tackle the topics of storing boats on land and water, respectively. All can be viewed at your own pace, starting and stopping at anytime. The only prerequisite to watch for free is you must be a BoatUS member – but they are also available to non-members starting at $30 through a partnership with the Association of Marina Industries (call: 866-367-6622).
In addition, BoatUS has free resources online for any boater owner, boat club or marina at the BoatUS Tracking and Hurricane Resource Center at www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes. The website offers easily downloadable storm planning materials including an in-depth Boater’s Guide to Preparing for Hurricanes, and a Hurricane Preparation Worksheetthat can be copied and great for handing out to slipholders, and checklists for what to do before and after a hurricane strikes.
Sample Marina/Club Hurricane Plans for boat and yacht clubs as well as up-to-the-minute storm tracking tools with live satellite images are also offered. A 24-page Yacht Club and Marina Guide to Preparing for Hurricanes shares success stories and failures of dozens of facilities that have experienced a hurricane over last two decades. The latest storm-tracking and forecasting information is also offered.
About BoatUS:
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its over half-million members with government representation, services such as 24-hour on the water boat towing as well as roadside assistance for boat trailers and tow vehicles, feature-packed boat insurance programs, money-saving benefits that include marina and West Marine shopping discounts, and vital information that improves the boating, fishing and sailing lifestyle. Its member-funded BoatUS Foundation is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating.
BoatUS adds online hurricane seminars to arsenal
