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Hurricane Florence tossed this vessel into the front yard of a private home in
New Bern, North Carolina.
How to Recover Your Boat After a
Hurricane
With the
remnants of Hurricane Florence now on the way out to sea and high waters still
posing a threat in some regions, boat owners are starting recovery efforts. The
BoatUS Marine Insurance Catastrophe Team began field operations on Sunday,
Sept. 16, in the Carolinas. To help affected boat owners with the recovery
effort, BoatUS offers these five tips to
assist boaters in recovering their vessels and starting the salvage process.
- Get
permission first. Never try to enter a storm-affected marina or boat
storage facility without permission. Spilled fuel combined with the
potential of downed electrical wires and a host of other hazards make them
extremely dangerous places. Smoking is a big no-no. For your safety, never
climb in or on boats that have piled up together or are dangling
precariously from dock pilings or other obstructions.
- Remove
valuables. If your boat has washed ashore, remove as much equipment as possible and
move it to a safe place to protect it from looters and vandals. It’s a
good idea to put your name, telephone number, address and email somewhere
conspicuously on the boat – along with a “No Trespassing” sign.
- Minimize
further damage. Protect your boat from further water damage resulting
from exposure to the weather. This could include covering it with a tarp
or boarding up broken windows or hatches. As soon as possible, start
drying out the boat, either by taking advantage of sunny weather or using
electric air handlers. All wet materials, such as cushions, must be
removed and saved for a potential insurance claim. The storm may be gone,
but the clock is ticking on mold growth.
- “Pickle”
wet machinery. Engines and other machinery that were submerged or
have gotten wet should be “pickled” by flushing with freshwater and then
filled with diesel fuel or kerosene. To learn how to pickle a boat motor,
go to BoatUS.com/Hurricanes/Pickle.
- Consult
your insurance provider. If your boat is sunk or must be moved by
a salvage company, BoatUS recommends that boat owners should not sign any
salvage or wreck-removal contract without first getting approval from
their insurance company. Proceeding without your insurer’s knowledge may
jeopardize your coverage.
All BoatUS and
GEICO Marine Insurance customers have assistance available for post-storm
recovery and are urged to call the BoatUS Claims department at 800-937-1937 as
soon as practical, or they may file a claim using the new BoatUS app or online at www.BoatUS.com/Claims.
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