Harbormasters warning owners: Make sure boats are shipshape

LYNN – Lynn Harbormaster Jim Perry spent Wednesday warning boaters about the potential dangers of Hurricane Earl and providing tips on how to minimize damage to their vessels.”I have called most of the boat owners down here, advising them to be aware of the storm and requesting they come down and double up on their lines,” said Perry, whose waterfront domain includes Seaport Marina, two yacht clubs, Lynn Harbor and the channel extending to Broad Sound. “We’re checking pennant lines. I’ve suggested people add fenders and instructed a few to take down their bimini tops and canvas, which is something you have to do ahead of time because you need an hour or more.”Perry said he is “concerned but not worried yet” but intends to keep close watch on the weather forecast. “Some of the boats are on moorings here but most are in the slips. A lot of people who have slips will put their boats out on a mooring because you’re better off there,” he said.There are approximately 260 boats at the two yacht clubs and city marina.”If the hurricane stays 100 miles offshore, we’ll be OK. If it dips into Rhode Island and comes north, we could be in trouble,” Perry said. “The yacht clubs are on alert and ready to haul.”According to Perry, the yacht clubs hauled 160 boats in 20 hours before a hurricane struck in 1991. “The surge is what gets the boats moving and does the damage,” he said.Marblehead Harbormaster Charles Dalferro said word of the pending storm is spread by the town’s yacht clubs, dockmasters and mooring companies. “We have no easy way of notifying all the boat owners,” he said. “The people who keep their boats here aren’t just from Marblehead. They’re from all over the place.”Dalferro’s office has jurisdiction over Marblehead Harbor and the surrounding waters bordering Salem. In all, the town issues 2,500 mooring permits, of which 1,400 are in Marblehead Harbor.”We have about 1,000 boats out there right now. All are on moorings. We have no slips,” he said Wednesday. “We have been watching the boatyard cranes. They’re not crazy busy. Nobody is in line to get hauled. They’re more likely waiting for Friday to see what happens. Then there will be a rush at the last minute.”Dalferro said the hurricane is moving quickly. “It’s not going to be long-lasting like a three-day nor’easter. It’ll be in and out of here, although the wave action will linger,” he said.The U.S. Coast Guard headquarters in Boston is advising boaters to secure deck items such as chairs, life rings, LifeSlings, buckets, boat hooks and other loose equipment to prevent them from being windblown.