Hurricane and Storm Preparedness

All boaters should be familiar with the Town of Fairfield hurricane and storm preparedness plans.  Boat owners are ultimately responsible for properly securing their vessels. Start Hurricane preparations 48 hours before forecasted impact.  Surge and Flooding may block access to the marinas prior to, during and after landfall. 

South Benson Marina

  • If the boat is trailerable, remove it from the water. Take the boat home or to an area that is elevated above the anticipated storm surge.
  • Do not leave trailered boats in the marina parking lot
  • Confirm that you have copies of all important documentation (Vessel registration, insurance, Salvage/tow insurance etc.)
  • Check battery and confirm it is fully charged
  • Confirm all bilge pumps and switches are in working order
  • Turn off all electronics (except for auto bilge drains)
  • Close and secure all doors, windows and hatches
  • Remove any loose gear on your vessel: coolers, seat cushions, covers, biminis and dodgers, fishing gear, tubes, life rafts, etc.
  • Sailboats – remove or lash down sails including roller furling jibs
  • Additional mooring lines and fenders should be used to distribute the forces on the lines.
  • Add chafe gear on all dock and mooring lines.
  • Small and Medium Slip vessels confirm that their frog hooks a properly secured, shackles are tightened and moused. Add hitch/safety pins to the end of each finger below the D-Rings. This $1.50 pin prevents the arm from accidentally levering itself out of the D-Ring.
  • Large slip vessels should ensure their mooring lines are secured and run additional lines to dock and pilings as necessary taking in account for surge and low water depending on the track of the storm. 

  • Ye Yacht Yard and Perry’s Green

  • If the boat is trailerable, remove it from the water. Take the boat home or to an area that is elevated above the anticipated storm surge.
  • Do not leave trailered boats in the marina parking lot
  • Check battery and confirm it is fully charged
  • Confirm all bilge pumps and switches are in working order
  • Remove any loose gear on your vessel: coolers, seat cushions, covers, biminis and dodgers, fishing gear, tubes, life rafts, etc.
  • Additional mooring lines and fenders should be used to distribute the forces on the lines.
  • Add chafe gear on all dock and mooring lines.

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    Catamaran & One-Design beach storage and Rack storage vessels

    • Remove your vessels if possible.
    • If you cannot remove from beach, secure vessel to mooring cable, using extra size lines.
    • Secure to in-ground sand anchor.(If not available, install one.)
    • Lower mast and secure to boat or store in sail house.
    • Vessels on racks should be secured to the racks.

    Additional storm preparation information from CT DEEP may be found here

    Hurricane tracking information is available at www.nhc.noaa.gov.