Kingman Yacht Center Hurricane Plan - Overview

Since its founding in 1932, Kingman Yacht Center has weathered almost eighty hurricane seasons and at least ten major storms.

Kingman Yacht Center’s location near the northeast corner of Buzzard’s Bay makes it a great destination. But it also makes it vulnerable to storm surge that can cause serious damage to boats and property, even in a harbor as protected as ours. For this reason, Kingman Yacht Center requires that all boats docked at slips be evacuated in the event of a hurricane threat, and that all boat owners make annual plans for managing their boat should a hurricane threaten.

Kingman Yacht Center has a comprehensive plan to respond to the potential strike of a hurricane in our waters. Unlike smaller marinas, we must respond to approaching storms quickly, efficiently - and early - simply to overcome the logistics of mobilizing 350 boats before an approaching hurricane.

Kingman Yacht Center will typically post Hurricane Watch evacuation notices once a storm reaches the approximate latitude of Charleston, South Carolina. Historically, this position has allowed us about 24 - 72 hours to clear the marina, move the docks and secure the property. We reserve the right to activate our Hurricane Action Plan at any time at our own discretion depending on the storm's intensity, speed and projected track.

We ask that our customers familiarize themselves with the following procedures and requirements before the North Atlantic hurricane season begins in August. If you have any questions about the plan or how to secure your boat, please call Kingman Yacht Center at (508) 563-7136 X110. Thank you for your cooperation.

FOR CUSTOMERS IN SLIPS:
At the beginning of each boating season, all Kingman Yacht Center slip customers must file – and have approved by Kingman Yacht Center – a written Boater's Hurricane Plan. This form notifies marina management of your plan to move your boat in the event of a hurricane threat.

All boats in slips must be evacuated from the marina facility once the marina declares a hurricane mobilization. The boat owner is responsible for making sure that his boat does not remain in a slip. He may either remove the boat from the marina property himself or request the marina to attempt to secure the boat for him.

If the boat owner requests, through his Hurricane Plan, that the marina attempt to provide safe harbor for his boat, several options are available. Power boats may be hauled and stored on land but must reserve this option in advance on their Plan; otherwise, boats should be moored, anchored or moved off-site if trailerable. Owners are encouraged to move their own boats but may also reserve a place on Kingman's towing/moving schedule.

Please note: Due to the length of time it takes to haul sailboats and the dangers of storing them with their rigs up, we CANNOT haul and store sailboats during a hurricane evacuation. If you own a sailboat, your plan cannot include haulout at Kingman.

Kingman Yacht Center will make every effort to accommodate each request for towing, hauling, moving or securing your boat. Because of the unpredictability of hurricanes, however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to service all boats at all times and assume no responsibility for failure to do so for any reason.

It is imperative that you select two options on your Boater's Hurricane Plan in the event conditions prevent implementation of your first choice. Additional information for owners of boats in slips will be found by clicking here.

MOBILIZATION:
When Kingman Yacht Center management deems a hurricane a threat, the Hurricane Action Plan will be implemented beginning with customer notification and mobilization.

Kingman Yacht Center staff will attempt to contact all slip customers by email (or telephone if email is not available) to notify them to evacuate their slips. At this time, your boat must be moved according to the options specified in your Boater's Hurricane Plan. Mooring customers are expected to assume full responsibility for securing their vessels to their moorings.

Although Kingman Yacht Center is fully prepared to assist boat owners with hurricane preparations, the ultimate responsibility for each vessel lies with its owner. With more than 350 boats to service, it is a challenge for us to mobilize every boat owner in 24 - 72 hours.

We request that you contact us as soon as you learn that a storm is approaching the East Coast. Your initiative will assist our staff in coordinating movement of boats when time is most critical.

NOTE: Because every storm presents its unique forecasting and timing challenges, this Schedule below is intended as a summary of the procedures required to provide maximum protection for boats and marina property. Marina personnel reserve the right to change all or any part of this plan as called for in their judgement based upon their interpretation of events, forecasts and/or existing conditions.

Marina Evacuation Schedule – Day 1

Within 24 hours from the start of mobilization, owners should remove all boats from the Front Docks (Slips 501-581), Side Docks (Slips 1-18), Back Basin (Slips 217-256) and all dinghies from the Dinghy Dock. Sailboat owners should make every effort to move their own vessels to assigned moorings or the anchorage of their choice. Sailboats will not be hauled. All boats that have made prior arrangements through their Boater's Hurricane Plan should move, under the direction of the Dockmaster, to a more sheltered anchorage or mooring. The Kingman Launch will run to service boats in the mooring field.

•Slips 501-581, 1-18, 217-256 and Dinghy Dock must be cleared within the first 24 hours to allow dismantling of the front docks. These docks will be secured in the back basin area for the duration of the storm.
•Kingman Yacht Center will haul or move power boats in accordance with Boater's Hurricane Plans in this order: (1) Slips 501-581; (2) Slips 1-18; and (3) Slips 256-217. There will be no Inside Storage.
•All cars parked in the area between the Haul Out pit and Lower Heads must be moved. This area will be used to store hauled boats and must be cleared early on Day 1 or cars will be towed at owner's expense.
•All antennas, fenders, lines, sails, dodgers, bimini tops and other gear must be secured by the owner. Dinghies, dock boxes and stairs must be stored ashore by the owner in an area designated by marina personnel.

Marina Evacuation Schedule – Day 2

•Fuel pumps will be shut off. Kingman Yacht Center will dismantle the Front Docks, Fuel and Dinghy Docks and move them to the back and side basin area.
•Kingman Yacht Center will continue to haul power boats from remaining Slips 19-216.
•Any vessel that has not been hauled in Slips 1 through 256 will be required to evacuate the marina under the owner's command by the second day of mobilization.
•Any vessel left or abandoned in the marina will be towed to another anchorage or further secured at the owner's liability and expense - and only if time permits. Failure to cause the removal of a vessel can, at Kingman Yacht Center's sole discretion, be sufficient reason to terminate the lease or sublease of the vessel's owner without additional notice. Vessels that do not comply with evacuation requirements will no longer be permitted to dock and/or otherwise use the facilities of the marina.
•All cars should be removed from the marina property to avoid flood damage from a potential tidal surge.

Marina Evacuation Schedule – Day 3

During the final 24 hours, Kingman Yacht Center will finish hauling power boats, batten down the hatches, and secure property. Water, electricity, and lights to the docks will be shut off.

Note: Any expense incurred by damage/injury to the docks, property or personnel of Kingman Yacht Center by a vessel will be the responsibility of the vessel's owner. Kingman Yacht Center, Inc. will not be liable for hurricane related damage or damage resulting from implementation of a Boater's Hurricane Plan.