Press: 2015 News Releases
12/30/2015
El Niño – a large-scale, ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to warming of sea surface temperatures across parts of the Pacific Ocean – may bring big storms to California this winter. Marina and harbor managers need to be prepared. Managers should develop a storm preparation plan tailored to the safety needs of each facility.
Make sure every employee is familiar with this plan. Most importantly, keep safety in mind and never risk human life for the sake of protecting property.
Consider the following actions to prepare for storm safety at your boating facility:
- Stock food and water to last as long as a week for people who may stay in the area.
- Prepare an emergency supply kit that includes a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, medications, cell phone and charger, blankets and cash.
- Update your staff list with complete contact information.
- Gather and secure loose materials such as trash cans, tarps, and stockpiled materials. Move picnic tables to a secure place.
- Consider buying plywood to cover exposed windows.
- Shutter all windows.
- Inspect and protect air conditioning or heat pumps units.
- Talk to slip tenants about removing or securing their boats and lowering masts and removing sails.
- Update contact information for all slip tenants and the location of their boats.
- Prepare a secondary, back-up system to communicate with your tenants such as a website, marina phone number with a recording, or email.
- Consider renting a generator.
- Know where to get or rent a pumping system in case of flooding.
- Make sure you have adequate tools for cleanup.
- Move vehicles into buildings or secure places.
- Check your spill response equipment and inventory the materials and equipment available on site such as fire extinguishers, oil absorbents and booms. Check the Marinas and Yacht Clubs Spill Response Communication Packet, page 16.
- Pump sewage out of all boats left in slips or at anchor.
- If you collect hazardous waste at your facility, ensure containers are securely closed and properly protected.
- Develop a list of contacts or contractors for emergency situations:
- Crane truck for removing heavy items
- Bulldozer
- General contractor
- Generator
- Salvage Companies
- Vessel Assists: (800) 367-8222
Please share this information. For more information on El Niño and storm preparation:
08/31/2016
El Niño -- a large-scale, ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to warming of sea surface temperatures across parts of the Pacific Ocean – may bring big storms to California this winter. Boat owners and marina operators should be ready for extreme storms through spring 2016.
Below you'll find resources about El Niño, its potential effects on California’s waterways and safety precautions to take.
What Boaters Should Know about El Niño Winter Boating Safety
Keep informed about the latest weather, water and tidal conditions.
Develop a list of weather resources, sign up for alerts and use them before boating. In addition to local weather forecasts, critical meteorological information is available for boaters and marina operators:
| www.weather.gov | National Weather Service – Active Alerts, Forecasts, Conditions |
| www.wrh.noaa.gov | National Weather Service Western Region – Detailed Hazards |
| www.navcen.uscg.gov | United State Coast Guard – Local Notice to Mariners |
| www.cdec.water.ca.gov | California Data Exchange – River Conditions |
Tune to local radio stations or the National Weather Radio Broadcasts on frequencies of 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.525, and 162.550 MHz in areas where available.
Check your boat's required safety equipment.
California boating laws require recreational boats to carry safety equipment including flares to visually signal distress; a whistle, bell or horn to sound distress calls; and serviceable life jackets on board. After a busy summer boating season, make sure your required safety equipment is ready and in working order.
During the winter it is especially important to have good anchoring equipment and bailing devices and to know how to use them. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadrons offer complimentary vessel safety checks. For a full list of required equipment and for general safety information visit the ABCs of California Boating.
Avoid boating during strong weather.
High tides, storm surges, poor visibility, moving sandbars and debris contribute to dangerous conditions during winter. Conditions on the water change rapidly. Boaters who must be on the water this winter should carry a registered Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) for marine use and know how to use it. For more Information: http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/emerbcns.html
Always file a float plan with friends or family.
Searches for an overdue boat are more likely to succeed if the U.S. Coast Guard or other rescue agencies have certain facts. For your own safety, before you go boating, file a float plan with a reliable person who will notify authorities if necessary.
At a minimum a float plan should include the location to which you will be heading and your approximate time of return. Check in regularly with those who are aware of your plan, especially if your plan changes.
Have an emergency and accident plan in place for your boat and home.
Boaters must know what to do in an emergency. Emergency and accident procedures for recreational boaters can be viewed in the ABCs of California Boating. Read this important information and perform an accident drill with your crew. Create and carry a contact list of emergency resources such as local first responders.
Make sure you also have an emergency plan in place for you and your family at home and at your workplace. Create a list of local resources including:
- Fire department
- Public health department
- Public works dispatch center
- Electric/gas utility provider
Check that your emergency supply kit is up-to-date.
Emergency supply kits for both home and boat should be checked, and older supplies including food, water, batteries, maps and contact data should be replaced with fresh supplies. Include a flashlight and battery-powered or hand-crank radio, blankets, medicines, and cash.
If your boat is moored or docked throughout the winter season, check before and after a storm to make sure dock lines are properly secured.
Know how your boat should be docked and/or moored to avoid storm damage. Take a boating safety class or review how to secure your boat.
Most importantly, keep safety in mind and never risk human life for the sake of protecting property!
Please share this information. For more information on El Niño and storm preparation: