STORM OR HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
“Hurricane Season” begins each year on June 1 and ends on November 30.
Storm preparation is the responsibility of every member and/or every vessel owner. Storm preparation is critical. If any vessel is left unprepared, it jeopardizes all other vessels, pilings, and docks in the marina. The “HVMI Storm Plan” must be updated each year, and a new storm form must be filed for each vessel no later than April 1 of the current year.
Noncompliance with this rule will result in a $20.00 late fee to the boat owner without Adjudication, in addition to being subject to such other penalties under the constitutional documents and applicable North Carolina law as applied to violations of Rules and Regulations.
During Hurricane Season, the HVMI Harbour Master will monitor the National Weather Service, Weather Channel, and other sources of weather information for the formation and movement of tropical depressions, tropical storms, hurricanes, etc. When the HVMI Harbour Master deems such a storm to possibly be on course to impact the marina, he may declare the appropriate HVMI Storm Alert. A text alert will be sent to all the text phone numbers on record at the Marina Office. Anyone not having a text number on file will be responsible to get all their storm notices and information on their own. Do not call the Harbour Master, as he will be busy securing the the marina. All members and vessel owners are independently responsible to keep themselves apprised of the existence of such storms and monitor the Nation Weather Service and the HVMI web site diligently.
After the Harbour Master declares a HVMI storm alert, no vessel new to HVMI shall be permitted to enter HVMI. The only exception will be transient vessels traveling the coastal waters covered under the “Safe-Haven Rule.”
The Marina will have the following three (3) Types of Storm Alerts.
“GREEN” = Normal everyday practices will be observed.
“YELLOW” = Storm Alert (See Description Below)
“RED” = Storm Alert (See Description Below)
Alert Descriptions:
“YELLOW ALERT”
Within 24 hours of a “YELLOW ” HVMI Storm Alert, all vessel owners are encouraged to execute their “HVMI Named Storm Plan” for the current year. Please note that all boats 26 feet or smaller which do not self-bail (as defined by boat manufacture) without the use of a bilge pump should be removed from the marina. HVMI strongly recommends that all small open outboard vessels should be hauled and removed as power to HVMI might be shut off. Bilge pumps will only function as long as the batteries remain charged. Be safe – if you have a trailer – use it. Boats on trailers don’t sink. All canvas and any other gear or loose articles should be removed or stowed securely within the boat. It is recommended that all thru hull fittings be closed. All vessels shall be double lined. In the event that the mooring lines are too small or are improperly tied (based upon USCG vessel classes and Boat US line size standards) HVMI shall have the right, but not the obligation, to replace said lines at the vessel owner’s expense (minimum $150). Vessels will remain unoccupied, all utilities (water and electricity) may be shut off, and the parking lots shall remain empty until the HVMI Storm Alert has been lifted, and the storm has passed and cleared the area.
“RED ALERT”
Within 24 hours of a “RED” HVMI Storm Alert being declared, all vessel owners must have executed their “HVMI Named Storm Plan” for the current year. All trailerable boats are strongly advised to be removed from the marina. Be safe – if you have a trailer – use it. Boats on trailers don’t sink. HVMI advises that larger boats make preparations as the power to HVMI may be shut off and bilge pumps function only as long as the batteries remained charged. It is recommended that all thru hull fittings be closed. All vessels shall be double lined. In the event that the mooring lines are too small or are improperly tied (based upon USCG vessel classes and Boat US line size standards) HVMI shall have the right, but not the obligation, to replace said lines at the vessel owner’s expense (minimum $150). All canvas and any other gear or loose articles must be removed or stowed securely within the boat. All vessels will remain unoccupied, all utilities (water and electricity) may be shut off, and the parking lots shall remain empty until the storm has passed and cleared the area.
In the event a vessel shall for any reason sink while berthed in a slip, at dockside, or while otherwise occupying HVMI waters, the HVMI Harbour Master, at his sole discretion, will call either Tow Boat US or Sea Tow according to the vessel owner’s “HVMI Named Storm Plan”. All such work shall be considered ordered with authority and on behalf of vessel owner, and all costs, fees and charges shall be at the vessel owner’s sole expense.