New online course helps boaters and marinas survive hurricanes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An online course, “Hurricane Preparation for Boaters,” available from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the United States Power Squadrons, aims to arm boat owner was armed with a specific plan to prepare their boat for an approaching storm.

The course is available online for $24.95 and can be taken from a desktop, tablet or smartphone by going to BoatUS.org/courses.

“The BoatUS Marine Insurance damage avoidance program has shown there are measures that boaters can take to reduce hurricane boat damage and improve their chances with surviving a storm,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Education Amanda Suttles Pérez. “The most important thing for boaters to remember is that early planning is key and if you wait until a storm has formed or a watch or warning has been issued, it’s often too late to put some plans into place. This course is just the latest from us to help boaters get ahead of this timely task.”

Boaters taking the course will be able to create a hurricane plan for their boat, with specific solutions for boats stored in the water, learn to evaluate the storm protection provided by a marina or storage area, and determine if, when and how a boat should move before a hurricane. It also shows the steps needed to take before a hurricane makes landfall and how to secure a boat for hurricane conditions, including diagrams for tying lines.

BoatUS also offers many other hurricane planning tools at BoatUS.com/hurricanes, including downloadable, no cost hurricane preparation guides for boaters and marinas, boatyards and clubs.