TowBoatUS San Diego Busy During First Winter Storm of the Season

The first major winter storm sinks several boats while flooding local streets. It was reported that over 8 inches of rain fell in areas of San Diego flooding several roads and business. Vessel Assist San Diego responded to almost a dozen sinking or sunken boats. “Boaters really need to respect the volume 8 inches of rain and the effect it has on a boat.” Robert Butler, President of Vessel Assist San Diego, Says “Boaters need to prepare for storms with their boats.”  Make sure all the bilge pumps are operating properly with float switches. Make sure the batteries are maintained and fully charged. Make sure the shore power cord is in good condition and protected from the weather on the ends. Make sure any deck drains are free of debris and unobstructed. One contributing factor in a boat sinking is tarps. Some boaters used in expensive tarps, Blue being the most popular. They cover their boat in an attempt to protect it from the elements. Blue tarps are OK in a light rain but in a heavy rain where several inches accumulate the tarps become rain catchers often times collapsing in the cockpit and plugging the boats natural avenues for water to drain. After several hours of heavy rain, the water on the deck weighs down the stern and the boat becomes unstable and sinks. It is recommended a custom fit cover with proper bracing, to keep water from accumulating, be used on boats. If you need to use an inexpensive tarp make sure to tie it on a slope tight so rain can run off. Make sure if it does fail, it does not cover deck drains. Sometimes it’s best to leave the cockpit uncovered as this is where most of the rain will end up by design of a boat. Either way never assume you boat is OK during a storm. If heavy rains are forecasted check your boat daily. If you need to, there are yacht management services that can perform checks on your boat for a charge. Another Idea is to have a boat watch at your marina. In closing the most important thing is to have a proper insurance policy for your boat. Liability policies will not cover the charge to raise your boat should it sink. Often times Haz Mat charges will match the cost to raise a boat from the depths. A full yacht policy with Haz Mat coverage is a must as you are required to remove the vessel from the water by law, as well at be responsible for any containment and cleanup cost related to the sinking. You could be responsible for the damage to the docks as well as other boats damaged due to your boat sinking. For more information on this subject of if you have any questions feel free to call Vessel Assist San Diego at 619-235-8273.