Worse Than Usual Hurricane Season Predicted Could Affect Boaters: ACE

With the hurricane season already upon us, climate experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advise of an “active or extremely active” hurricane season this year.

NOAA scientists predict a 70 percent chance of between 13 to 20 named storms this year, with 7 to 11 that could develop into hurricanes, and of those, 3 to 6 could become major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher, with top winds of 111 mph or greater. The seasonal average is 12 named storms and 6 hurricanes, with 3 developing into major hurricanes.

Any probability of a hurricane or a severe storm is cause for boaters in hurricane-prone regions to have preparation plans in place.

“With the devastation of Sandy fresh in our minds, and another active season predicted, everyone at NOAA is committed to providing life-saving forecasts in the face of these storms and ensuring that Americans are prepared and ready ahead of time,” said acting NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D, in a NOAA-issued press release.

Boat owners and the marine community should take proactive measures each year to minimize the potential for injuries and reduce damage to boats.

ACE Recreational Marine Insurance has released its top ten list of important tips to help recreational boaters protect their vessels as well as other property on board during the hurricane season.

“The best defenses to protecting your boat from hurricanes or any severe weather are planning, preparation and timely action,” said Damon R. Hostetter, senior vice president, ACE Recreational Marine Insurance. “It’s important for boat owners to be aware of preventative measures they can take during the hurricane season. Preparation and contingency plans should be in place before the hurricane season, and well in advance of an impending storm. Resources and time are limited once an active storm is headed your way.”

According to Hostetter, the more knowledgeable recreational boaters are about proactive safety practices on the water, the better.

“In addition to taking precautionary measures before any severe storms, one of the most important components to protect you and your boat is to read and thoroughly understand your insurance policy well in advance. You should ensure the policy’s coverage adequately meets your needs. It is vital to understand the specifics of your policy coverage, exclusions and your duties as a vessel owner. ACE offers Hurricane Haul-Out Coverage, which provides clients who reside in storm-prone areas with coverage for haul-out and storage fees when necessary to protect an insured vessel during a named storm,” he noted. “Along with this, ACE also offers reimbursement of labor expenses associated with marina personnel who prepare your vessel in advance of a named storm, should you be traveling or otherwise unable to protect the vessel yourself. It is coverages like these that boat owners need to be aware of well in advance of an impending storm.”

To learn more about ACE Recreational Marine Insurance and obtain valuable information on a wide range of other safety and loss prevention topics, please visit www.acemarineinsurance.com.

Source: ACE Recreational Marine Insurance