How to Prepare Your Dock for a Hurricane

When you live in coastal areas, you get used to a few things: gorgeous scenery, an abundance of natural and man-made attractions, terrific food… the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, we also get used to preparing for fierce storms. With more “storms of the century” roaring through and/or making landfall, knowing how to prepare for a hurricane is essential. When it comes to floating docks, what do dock owners need to do to get their docks hurricane ready?

Safety First: Preparing Floating Docks for Hurricanes

If you are affected by hurricane season, the top priority is staying safe. Protecting your belongings is also key. Your floating dock is no exception. While hurricanes – and the damages the storms cause – can be unpredictable, you can take steps to ensure that your dock is as secure as possible.

1. Remove your floating dock. One of the benefits of floating docks is that they are not permanently affixed to the bottom of the body of water via pilings. Their design ensures that they can float and flux to accommodate changing water levels. This also means that quick removal is possible. If feasible, remove your floating dock completely and store it in a safe location. If this is not possible:
2. Tie a rope to a fixed structure and secure your floating dock. If you cannot remove your dock, use a rope or other material to attach it to a stable, permanent structure. Most floating docks are designed to come off their attachment method during extreme high-water levels and tying a rope to a fixed structure like a tree or post will ensure your dock will not float away.
3. Remove loose items. If you have kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, oars, chairs, and other gear on your dock, remove those items and store them in a safe location. Loose gear can easily become deadly projectiles in a storm.
4. Take photos of your dock. If your dock is damaged (or causes damage to your property), photos can help facilitate a faster, smoother insurance claim process.
5. Check the lines anchoring your boat. If you leave your boat at the dock, check the lines that are anchoring it. Using chafe gear also adds a layer of protection during hurricanes. Bonus tip: make sure you also remove valuables (including important paperwork and documents) from your boat ahead of the storm.
6. Don’t wait to learn how to prepare for a hurricane. If you’re not sure how to adjust your dock lines, how to check the lines anchoring your boat to your dock, how to use chafe gear, or how to do other key steps, ask for help! AccuDock is happy to answer your questions and walk you through the process of securing your floating dock in the event of a hurricane.
7. Heed weather warnings. When a storm is coming, make sure you put your hurricane preparation plan into action. And if you are told to evacuate, do so. Your safety is the most important consideration.

If you need more information on securing floating docks during hurricanes, please don’t hesitate to contact AccuDock.