Chelsea
     Yacht
Club

The NWS issues “Warnings” and “Watches” on a county-by-county basis.  At CYC, our area of interest should be primarily focused on weather conditions in Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.

Definitions:
 

Gale: sustained winds 35-54 mph with strong wave action
 

Storm:  sustained winds 55-73 mph with strong wave action
 

Hurricane:  sustained winds greater than 74 mph with strong wave action

 

A “Hurricane WATCH” is issued 36 hours before expected landfall.  An “Inland Hurricane Wind WATCH” is issued for inland counties when sustained winds of 74 mph or greater, associated with a hurricane, are anticipated beyond the coastal areas, though the actual occurrence, timing and location are still uncertain.
 

PERSONAL SAFETY IS CONSIDERATION # 1.

It is recommended that CYC take the following action(s):

NB:  Recommendations apply to all club facilities, including the Steward’s House.

IMMEDIATE:  CYC property and casualty insurance should be evaluated, and understood, in the context of storm damage claims.  “Named” storm coverage differs from usual P & C coverage.  Comprehensive insurance deductible limits should be evaluated and determined to be appropriate to protect club assets.

CYC should establish a policy that clearly stating that no member boats will be removed using club equipment.  The purpose here is to protect member safety and to protect club property.  Member boats are the individual responsibility of the owner.  NWS statistics indicate that boats, unless warehoused, are no more protected from hurricanes, whether moored or land based.  Sailboats, particularly on jack stands, are vulnerable to high winds.

CYC should establish a “storm alert” work assignment policy to make manpower available for storm preparation and/or recovery.  Hours should not count toward annual requirements.  However, work assignments should consider the particular skill set of each member, including members who are no longer subject to “annual work assignments”.  Assignment based solely on regular crew assignment may not be adequate under storm alert conditions.  Club property is member owned and requires prudent use of member labor for protection against, and recovery, from storm damage.

CYC should establish a “storm alert” evacuation policy.  See note “Upon issuance of NWS Hurricane WARNING . . .” below.

Each RC should establish a “call list” or “call tree” in order to alert member crews to the need for preparedness labor.

Each RC should inspect their appropriate area of responsibility to evaluate the readiness for a substantial storm.  In particular, the storage of dinks, spare docks, trash, trees and shrubs, dry sailed boats, etc., should be evaluated for “storm tidiness”.

Maintenance supplies for the travel lift, hooker and Pettibone should be obtained and stored for immediate use, if required.

All CYC owned equipment should be labeled with a painted/branded Chelsea Yacht Club “contact” identification.

All member boats should be labeled with CYC identification, including “contact” information.

An updated membership list, with specific boat identification by registration number, should be located near the telephone.

“Emergency telephone numbers” (police/fire, etc.) should be posted near the telephone.

Inquiries should be made to appropriate local agencies seeking further input on behalf of CYC.

Members should be reminded of their individual responsibility to regularly inspect mooring tackle and evaluate for adequacy.  Information regarding pennant chafe guards, anchor chain riding weights, removal of sails, booms, covers, biminis, etc., securing of tillers, and other boats safety points should be stressed.

Upon NWS issuance of a Hurricane WATCH, members will be alerted to the pending storm and work crews will begin to secure the CYC property and equipment.

HOUSE:

1.      All electric power, gas and water systems should be shut down.

2.      A thorough trash run should be made.

3.      Furniture should be raised off of the floors.

4.      All awnings should be removed to storage.

5.      port-a-potties should be order, installed and secured with anchors

6.      Electric generators should be secured, and where possible, maintained by members.

7.      All fuel tanks should be filled.

8.      Post storm septic system clean out/pumping should be required prior to use of club lavatory facilities.

GROUNDS:

1.      Trees should be evaluated for “danger to structures”, and trimmed as appropriate in the spring of each year.

2.      Tents and awnings should be removed to storage.

3.      Tables, chairs, benches, umbrellas, gas grills, etc. should be removed to the back of the club house and secured with spare anchors and chain.

4.      Dinghies should be secured to racks with cable, spare chain and mushroom anchors.

5.      All trash receptacles should be emptied and secured in a central location

MARINA:

1.      Inspect mooring tackle every 6 weeks, as a general rule.

2.      Service and prepare all pumps, generators, battery chargers, etc. for recovery operations.

WATERFRONT:

1.      Label/“brand” all docks, ramps, ladders, etc,

2.      Where possible, remove any and all docks, ramps, ladders, etc.

3.      Consider moving docks, etc. to beach area and securing with spare anchors.

ENTERTAINMENT:

1.      Empty all refrigerators, freezers.

2.      Secure all stored supplies to prevent water damage.

3.      Obtain adequate supply of bottled water for drinking only.

4.      Provide meals for work crews from outside sources (sandwiches, pizza, etc)

HAULING & STORAGE:

1.      Remove and secure all CYC boats, dinks and mooring hooker.  The work boat should be hauled last.  This task is to be coordinated with the Quartermaster.

2.      Secure travel lift and Pettibone.  Fuel tanks and lubrications systems should be inspected and serviced as appropriate for recovery.  Supplies should be obtained for recovery use.

QUARTERMASTER:

1.      Secure all CYC boats, dinks, etc., motors, gas cans and batteries protecting them against potential storm damage.

2.      Have adequate supplies to recondition all equipment for               immediate post storm use.

When all NWS WATCH and WARNING alerts have been lifted, the Officers and Trustees should assess club property and equipment for damage.  Appropriate restoration and repair procedures should be initiated and implemented, by them, giving priority to the recovery and clean-up of club property and assets over personal member property.  This priority does not preclude O&T approved member boat recovery assistance.

This restoration should implement the work assignment protocols aforementioned. 

The expense of repair and restoration should be borne by all club members in the form of a “special assessment”, as all club members are owners and, therefore, have a vested interest in CYC.

 

PERSONAL SAFETY IS CONSIDERATION # 1.