- Bridges will be in “lock down,” closed to boat
traffic, approximately 3 ˝ hours after an evacuation order is issued
or when the winds reach 40 miles per hours, whichever is earlier.
This may be as much as, or more than, 23 hours prior to the time
that the hurricane makes landfall.
- Broward County has a Flotilla Plan
which assists in the timely, orderly evacuation of large
boats that require bridge openings in order to move inland, before
bridges lock down to accommodate vehicular evacuations (see below).
Small boats that do not require bridge opening do not need to wait
for a flotilla to form.
- The timing of the flotilla and the location of
harbors where boats participating will congregate will be issued at
the time of the weather emergency.
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CARING FOR BOATS DURING A HURRICANE |
Small Boats
(under 20 feet) |
Portable Boats
- If the boat is at home, it may either be left on its trailer
or stored upside down alongside the residence.
- If the boat is left on its trailer, water that collects
inside the hull may damage the trailer. To help prevent damage,
let some air out of the trailer tires so water will drain out of
the back of the boat, and block the wheels to prevent rolling.
- Avoid placing small boats between buildings because of the
potential for “wind funneling.”
- Tie the boat down by using either buried ground anchors or
large well-rooted trees. Use good, strong rope and protect from
chafing. Check boat cleats for strength. Do not use small cleats
or cleats screwed into fiberglass. If necessary, tie line fully
around boat.
- If the boat is in storage, check the contract to see if the
storage marina is responsible for the boat during the storm.
- Motors and all boat equipment should be stored inside
whenever possible. Canvas should either be removed or rolled
tightly, because the wind will get under it and gradually rip
it.
Non-Portable Boats
- Sailboats in sheltered water may be sunk after removing all
gear. Damage from water action is possible.
- Otherwise, the boat should be tied out from the docking area
by using at least two anchors and lines into deeper water (one
anchor forward and one aft). Allow sufficient slack for the rise
of the water, possibly 4-5 feet of tide.
- Tie off the boat at least 12-15 feet from the dock. Clean
all cockpit drains and remove any equipment that would be
damaged by water.
- Remove boat records to a safe place or place in a watertight
container (glass jar, for example).
- Remove batteries.
|
Large Boats
(over 20 feet) |
Portable Boats
- Large portable boats should be stored indoors since the
freeboard (difference between the water line and the uppermost
full deck of the boat) may act as a sail and move the boat and
trailer, possibly tipping the boat over.
- The boat should be placed in a garage or carport with the
car left outside.
- If the boat is left outdoors, all equipment should be
removed, all drains should be cleaned and trailer springs should
be opened and blocked.
- The boat may also be placed into the water and tied down.
Non-Portable Boats
- Boaters should make arrangements with a property owner
before going up any canal with the intention of tying up.
- The boat should have sufficient fuel on board and bilge
pumps should be working.
- Exposed gear should be removed and anything that must be
left out should be lashed down.
- If the boat has cabin space and a deck house, the boater may
want to stay on board or crew the boat.
- Boaters may not block a canal by lines across while other
boats are seeking shelter, unless the boater remains with the
boat, thus able to allow other boaters passage by control of the
lines.
- Spring lines should be used to hold the boat away from the
docks. If anchors are used, be sure the chain is attached to the
anchor along with a weight, midway of the line to increase the
holding.
- Trees may be used to secure lines, but they must be alive
and have large, deep roots. For example, mangroves are good
trees to use as anchors while Australian pines are not.
- Boats rafted together must have good fenders, such as tires.
|
Broward County Flotilla Plan
The purpose of the Flotilla Plan is to:
- organize boat traffic for an orderly evacuation
to safe harbor
- coordinate timing of boat evacuations so that
bridges can be locked down for vehicular evacuations
Key Players
The Officer-in-Charge of the Flotilla Plan is the
Broward County Sheriff Marine Patrol. The On-Scene Commander is
responsible for coordinating emergency marine traffic operations.
The center of communications for all agencies
involved in flotilla operations is the Marine Command Post and the
Fort Lauderdale Police Department Communications Dispatch Center . The
U.S. Coast Guard and Broward Sheriff's Office assign personnel to the
Marine Command Post to facilitate communications with the Coast Guard
Auxiliary and BSO deputies.
Communication devices include department radios,
portable radios and telephones. Drawbridges are also equipped with
telephones and radios. Patrol boats and civilian boats use radios,
loud speakers and arm/hand signals.
Flotilla Plan Operations
Flotilla Plan operations occur in two phases,
and begin with a Hurricane Watch Advisory.
FLOTILLA PLAN
|
Phase I |
The Officer-in-Charge will notify all
flotilla participants that Phase I operations are in effect.
- Marine patrols will survey the waterways
for hazards (such as barges) and determine ownership so that
they may be moved or secured.
- Boat owners should fuel up prior to
moving vessels to safe harbor, and store deck equipment.
|
|
Phase II |
The Officer-in-Charge notifies all
flotilla operations participants that Phase II is in effect and
that the flotilla movement will cease 3 ˝ hours after the
Evacuation Order is issued.
- The Fort Lauderdale Police Department
Marine Patrol will be deployed north and south of New River to
supervise and assist in the formation of flotillas.
- Flotillas will be formed – north of New
River in the Bahia Mar area and south of New River in the Pier
66 area.
- The SO Marine Patrol will be deployed in
the I-95 overpass and New River area to assist westward
movement of flotillas.
- The Florida Marine Patrol will be on
standby. Their assistance will be authorized through the State
via the Emergency Operations Center .
- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels will
be deployed to direct boats to the flotilla formation. Regular
Coast Guard vessels will be on full alert to render
assistance.
- Communications to the bridge tenders will
be via the Fort Lauderdale Communications Dispatch Center
and/or the Marine Command Post.
- During the flotilla, disabled boats shall
be taken in tow and not allowed to block the river. Marine
Command Patrol will make a report of the disabled boat.
- When the Marine Patrol Commander feels
there is a sufficient number of vessels, there will be a
signal for moving up the river. There is no specific time
sequence for flotilla launchings.
|
|
End of Flotilla |
Flotilla operations will cease approximately
3 ˝ hours after the Evacuation Order is issued, so that bridges
can be locked down for vehicular traffic. The Officer-in-Charge
will inform all flotilla operations participants of the time
that flotilla movement must cease.
The County Emergency Management Division
will contact the U.S. Coast Guard and request that all
drawbridges be positioned down and locked in place.
Marine Patrols will continue patrol
operations until hurricane conditions force them to safe harbor. |
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