PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — With a busier-than-normal hurricane season expected, officials are reminding residents to be prepared.
Especially when it comes to being on the water. Boat owners will be looking to either remove their boats from marinas or at least tie them down securely.
Now— they say— is the time to start prepping at boat slips and harbors. In fact, if you can, Pinellas County officials advise boat owners to take their vessels out of water if possible.
But not everyone is able to do just that. And for that, they advise those owners to secure your boat with heavy nylon lines. County officials say, if possible, find a locations that will allow you to secure your boat from all four sides.
They also advise to keep your boat insurance up to date and make a plan. If you do plan to for a marina to haul your boat out of the water it should be done long before the arrival of tropical storm-force winds.
“We definitely don’t want those people who live aboard, staying on board their boat during a hurricane," said Adam Pedzich, Emergency Manager for Pinellas County. "So if they could have that plan, whether to go to family or friends or use one of our available shelters that we open during hurricanes.”
And Pedzich says if you cannot take your boat out of the water be sure to secure your boat in a protected and stable location. Also keep in mind docks can be damaged in a major hurricane.
Along the water’s edge at a boat harbor rests countless sailboats and vessels.
“It’s just something I’ve always been fascinated with since I’d seen the ocean when I was a young child and always wondered what was beyond the horizon.”
One of them belonging to Quinton Alame. He and his wife, Christina, have been living on their boat— ‘Windchime’— for the last year and a half.
“About six months it took us to adjust to it and we wouldn’t have it any other way now,” says Alame.
Living on their boat has required some getting used to. With hurricane season just around the corner, being prepared takes some extra effort.
“We are in a pretty protected area here at the marina," Alame says. "We use double lines for all of our connecting points. I actually put midshaft cleats on the side there because, previously, I didn’t have those installed.”
For right now— officials with Pinellas County say—is the time to start prepping for severe weather. Pinellas County is reminding boat owners, like Alame, that having a plan is critical.
“Whether they keep it at anchor or if it’s at a marina, just having that plan on how they’re going to get their boat to safety when that time comes,” said Pedzich.
Alame says a lot of time and effort have gone into his boat since initially buying it. Outfitting the vessel with all the proper equipment. And developing his own plan in case severe weather hits.
“Another one of my plans is like this bimini cover here and the sails, I’m going to remove those if there’s a storm coming. You want to get all of the windage off of the boat if you can.”
Showing that not only the way he lives has changed but also the way he thinks in times of severe weather.
“It’s definitely not for everybody- the small space and not being able to have room for a bunch of stuff," he says. "Just be prepared to live minimally.”
And being prepared for the changing tides the weather brings.
County officials also advise signing up for emergency alerts. They also have a mobile app— called ‘Ready Pinellas’— you can download on your smart phone.