You are here:

News

Protect your boat in strong winds

9th Dec 2011

With gales battering Scotland and the north of England, and more strong winds forecast, boat owners are being warned to take precautions to minimise the risk of damage to their boats.

Gusts of up to 165mph were recorded in some parts of Scotland yesterday. The Met Office has issued a yellow early warning for strong winds in western and southern areas of the UK on Monday evening and Tuesday next week.

Batten down the hatches

Sally Ash, head of boating at British Waterways, says: “I would advise inland waterway boaters to check that all their mooring ropes are secure and to generally batten down the hatches, ensuring that all items on deck are secure. Bring loose items inside if there is a chance they could blow away – as well as being lost or damaged, they could also cause a hazard to others.”

Joe Field of Navigators & General Insurance advises checking how well-secured your neighbours are, as the company often sees insurance claims for damage caused by other boats. Joe adds: “Bear in mind that if you are ashore or afloat under a tree, you are at risk from falling branches. If the tree looks old and weak, and it is safe to do so, it may be wise to move your boat.”

Other tips

  • On rivers, moor facing upstream, if possible. If not, a minimum of a second line should be used at the upstream end of the craft. Ideally, boats moored on rivers should have two mooring ropes at each end, one each end acting as a spring.
    • Mooring stakes should be hammered in very well, and the tied rope pushed right down to ground level, to minimise the amount of leverage placed on the stake. For heavy craft, stakes should ideally be around 0.9m /3 ft long.
    • Even though a boat may be very draughty inside in windy conditions, don't be tempted to block ventilators, as this could put your life at risk. Keep an eye on lit solid fuel stoves, as increased draughts can sometimes lead to over-firing.
    • If you're using a gang plank, it is a good idea to secure a rope to the plank at the onboard end, and tie it to the dolly or stud, taking care to avoid causing a tripping hazard.

Last updated: 09/12/2011

We'd love to hear your comments on this article, but please ensure they meet our guidelines. We reserve the right to remove all or part of a comment before or after publication.