Boat Owner Precautions
During a hurricane or tropical storm the height of water in the canal system may rise above docks, seawalls and pilings. Boat owners should be aware of recommendations and laws concerning boats and canals in the time of a hurricane, and are urged to have a plan of action.
Your Plan:
- Know your responsibilities and the law. Do not secure your boat to the seawall. Any damage to the seawall caused by boats secured to them will be the full responsibility of the boat owner.
- Have a plan. To assist you in pre-storm planning, obtain a copy of "Preparing Your Boat for a Hurricane" by Marine Agent Will Sheftall, at the City Clerk's Office, 326 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; or at the Charlotte County Cooperative Extension Service, 6900 Florida St., Punta Gorda. In addition, many local yacht clubs, boat clubs and civic associations have storm-preparation material available to boat owners.
- Coordinate your plans with your neighbors. There is limited space in the canal system. Therefore, cooperation with and consideration of your neighbors are important.
Your actions:
- Know when to act. Follow the progress of a storm headed your way. Determine whether you are going to move the boat to another mooring/anchorage or plan to secure the boat within the canal system.
- Take actions early. Moving your boat out of the canal system must be done before or during the tropical storm watch or hurricane watch time frame. When the tropical storm warning or hurricane warning is announced, boat owners may tie-off their boats cross-canal. Boats on davits should be moved land-side, rested and secured on the ground. Boats on lifts or tied to pilings should also be secured to land-side moorings located a minimum of 12 feet from the seawall so they won't float free as the water rises. Be aware that the current six-foot minimum setback requirement from seawalls for land-side moorings is suspended during a tropical storm or hurricane.
- Cross-canal tie-off can begin when the tropical storm or hurricane warning is announced.
When the general all clear announcement is made by the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners through its Emergency Management Office, boaters have 48 hours to remove the cross-canal tie-offs and return the boat to the permanent dock/mooring locations. However, this rule may not cover every situation given that the destruction left by a strong storm is never predictable.
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