Heavy
weather can make for unintended docking
HEAVY
WEATHER BOAT MAINTENANCE
I began my career as a marine surveyor in the specialized niche
of a damage assessor. Christian & Company, Marine Surveyors
Inc. continues to perform a large number of damage appraisals,
working for marine claims departments, boat owners and boat
yards. Heavy weather gives rise to an increase in damage claims,
with most of the claims occurring while the vessel is in its
slip or on a mooring. Based on our experience, there are a few,
simple maintenance procedures, which will prevent most heavy
weather related damage.
Anticipation
and preparation for heavy weather is crucial. Just as most boaters
secure loose items to prepare for a voyage, we must prepare
our vessels for exposure to heavy weather. The intense rain
fall in Southern California in the month of January magnified
the problems with leaks.
Many
boats have leaks through hatches, port lights or a myriad of
hardware fastened to the deck. Many times just properly closing
and securing these hatches, tightening the dogs and installing
covers is sufficient. Occasionally all hatch gaskets, port light
seals and even bedding compound requires maintenance. Water
stains on the interior of a vessel are a sure indication of
a leak above.
Some
vessels accumulate a significant amount of water in the bilge
during heavy rainstorms. Hatch drains are a common culprit if
they are improperly maintained. A hatch drain plugged with dirt
and debris prevents the drain from functioning and will allow
the water to run over the lip of the drain and into the bilge.
Many
trailer boats “sink” on their trailer. Canvas covers
allow rain to pool and leak through. We handle “trailer
submersion claims” every spring. Boat covers need to be
maintained and installed with a camber, causing the water to
run off the vessel and not accumulate on the cover. Drain plugs
should be removed, the bow should be up and debris in the bilge
should be removed to prevent it from “clogging the drain”.
Trailer boats are no different that boats afloat, they need
to be checked on periodically and after a heavy rain is a good
time.
A
trick of the marine surveying trade is to look below areas of
water accumulation for problems, including problems with the
coring, fungus deterioration, warping of plywood and mould.
Significant
rain water accumulation in the bilge of the vessel can always
be handled by a functional automatic bilge pump provided that
a good power source is available. Bilge pumps and float switches
should be checked. Batteries should be charged and chargers
should be functional and utilized. While checking the function
of bilge pumps, it is a good time to check the discharge systems.
If any of the bilge pumps, sump pumps (or similar pumps) are
located lower than their discharges and the discharge is located
below the waterline, the system requires a vented loop to prevent
back flooding. Check valves should not be relied upon in this
application. The bilge should be clean of debris that can foul
the pumps.
Heavy
weather also comes with increased winds and large swells. These
forces test the lines which are securing vessels. Owners are
responsible for portions of their mooring arrangement and most
boaters are responsible for their dock lines. Heavy weather
requires lines to be checked for chafe, chafe protection to
be properly utilized and fenders to be checked and positioned
properly.
Absentee
owners should engage the services of a maintenance company or
a trusted boating friend. Checks should be made before and after
all heavy storms. Water leaks or water accumulation should be
dealt with preemptively. Bilge pump function, drain systems,
covers and the proper securing of lines can be quickly assessed
and by doing so much of the damage we see can be prevented.
Insuring
a boat against damage is wise. Realize that not all damage is
covered by insurance. Long term leaks can lead to coring deterioration,
wood rot, mould and mildew and this type of damage may not be
covered by insurance. If your vessel is damaged by another vessel
which comes loose during a storm, the liability adjuster for
the other vessel may decline coverage based on an exclusion
for an “act of god”. Having your own insurance will
cover you in this instance. The tsunami caused by the Chilean
earthquake broke a dock by the Bali Hai restaurant and two boats
were separated from their mooring in America’s Cup Harbor.
The January storms contributed to the escape of many boats from
their moorings.
After
the rains subside the vessel should be opened and ventilated.
Wet cushions should be lifted and allowed to dry. Fungus deterioration
of wood requires wood, proper temperature range, fungus spores
and moisture. The only one of those four prerequisites that
is under the control of most boat owners is moisture. Properly
ventilating the vessel after a rain storm will also prevent
mould and mildew.
Sailboats
need to consider if the sails are properly secured. Walk through
a marina during a storm and you are sure to see a couple roller
furling jibs flogging in the wind. Powerboats should consider
their canvas as well. Is the canvas or enclosure properly secure?
Is the external upholstery secure? Is the tender secure and
covered to prevent water accumulation?
We
hope this is helpful and informative and will assist in reducing
damage to your boat, but if not, perhaps we will have the opportunity
to spend some time with you. Please keep Christian & Company
Marine Surveyors, Inc. in mind for any future marine surveying
needs of yours or your boating friends.
