In this article, we will discuss the decision to get off your boat while it is docked at a marina.
When a disaster happens while you are underway, the decision to abandon ship is often made for you. If the boat is sinking or, worse, on fire, you will quickly need to get into the water. Hopefully, you have prepared and have life jackets and your ditch bag ready to go. Especially in the case of a fire, if you cannot get it under control immediately, getting off the boat is the safest option. Issue your Mayday, put on your life jackets, grab your ditch bag, and get off the boat. Boats can be replaced.
We’re discussing leaving your boat in a marina when the weather turns dangerous. There have been instances where, even in a marina, the waves were strong enough to make it unsafe to stay on the boat. The boat was being hit against the dock, and despite having plenty of fenders to protect it, the constant surging and slapping made it uncomfortable and impossible to sleep on board.
Real World Experience
Our first experience like this was at Mackinac Island Harbor on Lake Michigan. We were one of only two boats in the marina at the time, and we were placed in the most protected slip they could find for us. However, the wind was coming in such a way that the jetty didn’t fully protect us, and the boat was really rocking and rolling. The waves rolling through the marina were 1-2 feet high, and it was so bad that we could hardly stand up in the boat without being knocked around.
We knew we wouldn’t get a minute’s sleep on the boat, so we decided to abandon ship. We found an inexpensive bed-and-breakfast within walking distance of the boat. We packed an overnight bag, added a couple of extra fenders and lines to the boat, and left it for the night. By morning, the conditions had calmed down. We got a reasonable night’s sleep, the boat was fine, It cost us about $120 for the B&B (and we got a great breakfast included), no one was injured, and the Commodore (Brenda) was happy. Remember, ALWAYS keep the Commodore happy! Happy wife, Happy life!
We have implemented a policy of leaving the boat and staying on land for the evening if conditions are unsafe. We have done this four or five times during our cruising, and there have been a few occasions when we wish we had taken this precaution.
Sometimes, you only have to leave until conditions improve. A storm rolled through, and we had to leave for a few hours until conditions improved at the Albermarle Resort. The waves were causing our lines to snap tight, and a boat in front of us tore the cleats off the dock. We were feeling queasy sitting on the boat, so we walked up to the boaters’ lounge and hung out there for a few hours until the wind died down.
Take Storm Warnings Seriously
When severe weather warnings are issued, take them seriously. Tropical storm and hurricane warnings are usually given far enough in advance that you can make arrangements to have your boat hauled out, move to a safer area, or prepare your boat as best you can, take photos for insurance, and move to a safe place on land. Riding out the storm on your boat is not the right choice. If everything goes wrong, there is nowhere to go, and rescue personnel probably won’t be able to get to you.
Read the story about Brian Clough during Hurricane Debbie.
Hurricane Ian, which struck Fort Myers in September of 2022, serves as a prime example. The storm surge exceeded expectations and rose rapidly. Despite this, some individuals at the two major marinas in Fort Myers, Fort Myers Municipal and Legacy Harbor, chose to remain on their boats. Unfortunately, both marinas were completely destroyed, along with the majority of the boats in them. There were injuries, and while if they had left their boat early, they could have taken valuables off the boat, many got off with just the clothes on their backs when the dock system failed.
It’s crucial to prepare your boat before the storm arrives. Attempting to ride it out on board in hopes of making adjustments and saving the boat usually proves unsuccessful and isn’t worth risking your life.
Monitor and Respect Tornado Warnings
In January 2023, during the height of the Looper migration through the Florida Pan Handle, a series of strong thunderstorms moved through the Panama City Beach area. These were accompanied by strong winds, and the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for the area. A number of boaters were staying at the marinas around Panama City Beach, and many decided to move off their boats for the night onto land.
Overnight, a Tornado hit Treasure Island Marina directly (see coverage here). Many boats were damaged, and several were destroyed. Some Looper friends were tied to the end of the dock. Their boat was lifted out of the water, tearing piling out of the water with it, tipped sideways, and slammed into the dock. The boat’s contents were tossed around, including things like refrigerators and chairs. The front windshield and side windows were broken out, and there was severe water damage and hull damage. A two-foot section of fiberglass that held a cleat was torn out. The boat was totaled. Fortunately, they were in a hotel about a mile away and were safe. Several other looper boats had canvas torn off, and in one case, the top of the flybridge, windscreen, and all, was torn from the boat. Again, the owners had made the correct choice. They heeded the warnings and moved ashore for the night.
Prepare, Monitor, Act
While severe weather is rare, if you do any amount of long-range cruising, you will eventually encounter extreme weather incidents. For comfort or safety reasons, it’s best to temporarily leave the boat for the night and sleep safely ashore. You may wake up at 2 am worrying about the boat, but at least you’ll be waking up in a warm, dry bed, not on a wet, sinking boat!
Have you ever left your boat to sleep ashore in bad weather?
Tell us your story in the comments below! 
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