3.21 Hurricane and Storm Preparation (excerpted from Harwich Harbor Management Plan
Cape Cod has been spared the direct hit of a hurricane since 1958. The '44 hurricane trashed the Cape and virtually destroyed the Harwich Port Boat Works at Wychmere Harbor. Hurricane "Bob" (1991) brought severe winds and high tides to Harwichport causing moorings to pull and boats to break free. Allen Harbor was devastated including yacht club floats. Wychmere Harbor found 19 boats left high and dry on the hillside below Larson Park (north side). Many boats, including eight Flying Scots were capsized at their moorings. Hurricane season usually lasts from late August through October. Therefore, hurricane preparation is not a joke.
High tide during a hurricane at Harwichport can rise 4-6 feet above the normal high tide caused by lowered atmospheric pressure. Wind-caused surge can form an addition and unpredicted wedge of water on top of this tide. Boats moored in high-energy areas such as the outer harbor will lose the protection of the breakwater which will be deeply submerged at high tide. These boats must be moved to safer harbor before the storm hits. Mooring scope at this time may become too short and cause anchors to pull.
Hurricane yardstick Boat ramps will be jammed at the time close to the storm. Therefore, if you have reached the end of your useful boating season, consider an early haul out.
THINGS YOU SHOULD DO- SHORT OF HAULING OUT
MOORED BOATS:
1. Inspect your mooring tackle and renew all parts that show signs of serious wear. This should include quality of chain, splices, and condition of thimbles and shackles.
2. All moorings during these months should be equipped with secondary storm painter (mooring line) to attach to the opposite bow cleat.
3. Equip all mooring lines passing through bow chocks with chafing equipment which can include a short piece of rubber hose or vinyl tubing protecting the lines from wearing through. Wear and tear of mooring pennants at deck level has been the most common reason in Harwich for mooring failure.
4. Inspect the security of bow cleats and eyes. Sailing vessels extend mooring lines back to the base of the mast, remove and stow all sails.
5. Batteries driving automatic bilge pumps should be fully charged and float switches tested for good working order. Bilges should be cleaned of oil and contaminants.
6. All through hull fittings equipped with valves as heads, holding tank valves, and exhaust overflows should be placed in closed position.
7. Where practical add to the mooring scope by lengthening the painter. Be sure you maintain clearance with boats around you. Position all extra fenders to fend off blows.
DOCKSIDE BOATS
1. Secure extra fender between boats and docks. Make use of a fender board where vessel is tied up between pilings.
2. Double up all dock lines. Be sure spring lines are secured in both directions and make certain cleats are well secured.
3. In areas of floating docks, tie only to near top of the pilings, otherwise the rising tide will "jack" the pile or otherwise pull the boat under.
4. Owners with vessels tied alongside a fixed pier should make certain that the gunwales will not get caught under the dock as the tide rises. The boat may be warped away from the pier using an anchor as an outhaul.
5. Disconnect all shore power lines going to the vessel before the storm hits.
6. Attempt to dock sailboats so that masts will not be "caught" on one another when boats rock.
BOATS HAULED OUT
1. All day sailors and light weight boats which can make use of trailers should be taken out of the water as soon as possible.
2. Sailboats dinghy type should be flooded with freshwater on their trailers as a means to hold them down.
3. At home park boats close to building if possible.
4. Boats stored using jack stands on soft ground, mud, sand, or gravel should use plywood under each stand as a precaution to prevent each stand from settlement. Make certain each jack is snugged firmly against the boat hull and use safety chains to "cross-lock" jacks.