PENSACOLA, FL, November 9, 2009 - The 2009 Hurricane season isn’t about to go out with a wimper.  With Tropical Storm Ida expected to make landfall on the Alabama coast tomorrow, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says heavy rains could be more of a threat with the late season storm.  “In every storm, big and small, we see sinkings as a result of heavy rains,” said BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance.  “All it takes is one deck scupper plugged with leaves and the water has nowhere to go, taking the boat down with it.”

Recreational boats located on bodies of water far inland from the Gulf Coast are at risk too.  With up to eight inches of precipitation expected to hit the coast as well as portions of the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians, boaters in these areas need to ensure their vessel is secure.  One-fourth of last year’s Hurricane Ike claims filed with BoatUS Marine Insurance came from outside Texas — with boats that were situated on rain-swollen creeks and rivers in states such as Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.

BoatUS is recommending that boat owners ensure cockpit scuppers (deck drains) remain clear of any debris so rainwater will drain freely, batteries are fully charged, and bilge pumps are operating properly.  Items that create “Windage” like cockpit biminis, dodgers and sails should be removed as they can be easily damaged and can add undue strain to mooring or dock lines, which should be doubled. 

If your boat is in a slip on the coast, ensure it can safely rise and fall on the storm surge without snagging on a dock, and if it is a covered slip, lower and secure antennae and outriggers.

Boaters can get free hurricane preparation help, including a hurricane preparation worksheet, an in-depth Guide to Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes, and checklists for what to do before and after a hurricane strikes, go to the BoatUS “Hurricane Resource Center” at http://www.BoatUS.com/Hurricanes .  The web site also helps boaters monitor incoming storms with up-to-the-minute storm tracking tools with live satellite imagery.

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