Where to Store Your Boat During a Hurricane
Where To Store Your Boat During A Hurricane
NOAA predicts another above-average hurricane season in 2021. Where will you store your boat should a storm hit?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, predicts another above-average hurricane season with 17 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. The season starts on June 1 and goes through November 30, with the peak of storms affecting Florida in August and September.
Last year was a busy season, with a record 11 storms making landfall in the U.S., including six hurricanes. No matter the prediction, it is essential to have a hurricane preparedness plan, and a location to store your boat should a storm hit your area.
The Best Place To Store Your Boat During a Hurricane in Miami
Most boating experts would agree that the best place to keep your boat during a hurricane is an indoor dry storage facility like North Beach Marina or any dry inland location away from tidal surges and strong winds. If you cannot remove your boat from the water, the next best option is to look for shelter in a canal or “hurricane hole” with land protection on all sides and secure your boat to a boat lift or dock using strong lines with plenty of slack to account for the tidal rise.
When moving your boat inland, you will want to check the condition of your boat’s trailer to make sure it’s working correctly, as it is your best option to transport your boat away from the storm to a more sheltered location. Our friends at Happy Trailer Storage recommend inspecting your trailer tires and bearings now to make sure you’re not scrambling to make repairs as a storm approaches.
Top Ten Hurricane Season Boat Preparation Tips
- Create a Hurricane Plan for Your Boat
- Secure In-Door Boat Storage
- Update Your Boats Insurance Policy
- Move Your Boat to Dry Land
- Secure Your Boat to a Trailer with Tie Down Straps
- Remove All Loose Items
- Seal the Openings
- Remove Drain Plugs to Let Excess Rain Water Drain Out
- Inspect the Bilge Pumps & Float Switches to Make Sure They’re Working Properly
- Check Your Boat’s Trailer to Ensure it’s Working Properly
Contact Us for Help
At North Beach Marina, we have seen our fair share of hurricanes over the years and are here to help you prepare. For more information on how to protect your boat during the hurricane season contact the marina at 305-758-8888 or click here.
2020 Lobster Season Tips Miami
2020 Lobster Season Tips Miami
Lobster Season Tips for a Successful Hunt in Miami-Dade
The Lobster Mini Season in Miami will officially begin at 12:01 am on Wednesday, July 29, and ends at midnight on Thursday, July 30. The regular 8-month lobster season will start on August 6 and runs through March 31, 2021. This year is forecast to be very active, with more permits sold than last year, and excellent weather conditions. Before you head out on the water, review our tips below to ensure a safe and successful bug hunt!
Remember- Safety First
There is always a risk associated with scuba diving, especially during the lobster mini-season. With thousands of recreational boaters on the water at once, make sure to have your dive flag visible, bring a spotter, and keep your eyes and ears open. The 2020 Lobster Season will see more divers on the water than in the past with a 9% increase in permits sold vs. last year. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 176,190 resident lobster permits and 41,509 non-resident lobster permits sold this year.
Know Your Limitations
During the mini-season, recreational divers and snorkelers can take a maximum of twelve lobsters per person per day in Broward and Miami Dade Counties except for Biscayne National Park, where you can only take six. In the primary lobster season, one can take a maximum of six lobsters per person per day.
See the official Lobster Season rules.
Size Does Matter
It is important to remember the lobster’s body excluding the tail should be larger than 3″, measured in the water. One should carry a measuring device at all times. Possession limits are strictly enforced on and off the water. Also, be sure to check to see if the lobster is pregnant. You can see visible orange eggs on the bottom of the tail. Be sure to leave these bugs for future generations to grow.
Buy a Spiny Lobster Permit
You must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit to participate in Lobster Season. To acquire these items, one can easily pick them from a local Publix Supermarket or online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The process is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.
Purchase the Correct Lobster Catching Equipment
There is nothing more frustrating than malfunctioning equipment during a dive. From a leaking mask to a broken regulator, make sure to have your gear tested and prepped for this season. There are many specialty lobster catching equipment you can purchase online or at a dive shop. These items can include an underwater measuring stick, tickle stick, a net, noose, and lobster bag.
View our blog post on the best lobster catching equipment to purchase, click here.
For more information about the 2020 Lobster Season in Miami-Dade County, please call the marina at 305-758-8888 or click here.