This Hurricane/Storm policy defines an approach
to monitoring tropical cyclones and major storms, the communication of risk to
club members, and preparation of the club to withstand the severe weather
associated with tropical cyclones. The policy defines responsibilities for
boat-owning club members, fleet captains, and club staff. The purpose of the
policy is to promote safety and property protection in the following order of
priority: first, to protect club property; second, to govern availability to
club members of club resources for use protecting club members’ property.
THIS POLICY SERVES AS NOTICE TO ALL BOAT-OWNING CLUB MEMBERS OF SPECIFIC
DESIGNATED TIMES WHEN CLUB RESOURCES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
SO THAT THOSE CLUB RESOURCES MAY BE USED EXCLUSIVELY TO PROTECT CLUB PROPERTY.
Further, this policy provides no guarantee regarding safety or property
protection at any time.
Background
The National Hurricane Center defines the
hurricane season in the Atlantic basin as lasting from June 1st through November
30th.
This means that, with the exception of Memorial Day weekend, the entire
SBYC sailing season occurs within hurricane season. It seems prudent to clarify
and formalize the club hurricane/storm policy using tools and guidelines that
have been created by the National Hurricane Center and the Coast Guard for
emergency planning.
Definitions
Tropical Cyclone - A storm originating over tropical or
subtropical waters that gains and maintains its strength from the energy in warm
ocean water.
Tropical Depression - A tropical cyclone with winds of 38 mph
(33 kts) or less.
Tropical Storm - A tropical cyclone with winds of 39 mph (34
kts) to 73 mph (63 kts). Note that the tropical storm actually covers the gale
force through storm force winds described in the familiar Beaufort Scale. The
NWS only uses the term “tropical storm” to describe conditions associated with a
tropical cyclone. In the absence of a tropical cyclone, “gale” or “storm” would
be used to describe conditions instead.
Hurricane - A tropical cyclone with winds of 74 mph (65 kts)
or greater. There are five categories of hurricane strength, but for the purpose
of this policy there is no need to distinguish among the hurricane categories.
Storm Committee - Comprised of the Commodore, Race Committee
Chairman, House Committee Chairman and Fleet Captain with the purpose of
instituting the Hurricane/Storm Policy.
Tropical Cyclone Watches and Warnings
Tropical Storm Watch - Tropical storm conditions are possible
within the watch area, generally in the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning - Tropical storm conditions are
expected within the watch area in the next 36 hours.
Hurricane Watch - Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch
area,
the hurricane watch is
issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force
winds.
Hurricane Warning - Hurricane conditions are expected within the watch
area,
the hurricane warning is
issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force
winds.
SBYC Readiness Conditions
Club Closed - Standard condition outside of hurricane and SBYC
seasons, October 19th through May 24th.
Club Lockdown Condition - Temporary condition prior to, during
and after a hurricane or storm when the club is closed to prepare for, or repair
the club.
All Clear - Standard in-season condition, from the Sunday
prior to Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Club is open and no storms are
threatening.
Preparation - Elevated strike probability for Cape Ann issued
by NHC. Club preparations begin, members alerted, boat evacuation plans reviewed
by fleet captains.
Danger - Tropical Storm Warning issued by NHC. Boat evacuation
plans executed, club preparations completed.
Boat-Owning Member Responsibilities
Club Lockdown Condition - None
All Clear Condition - At the start of the season, read and
agree to abide by SBYC Hurricane Policy. Submit boat evacuation plan to their
fleet captain, alert fleet captain if they will be away for five days or more.
Preparation Condition - Contact their fleet captain, confirm
plans for their boat to be evacuated immediately if a Danger Condition is
declared.
Danger Condition - Execute their boat evacuation plan within
24 hours. Boat owners will expeditiously remove their boats from moorings and
away from the Yacht Club and T-Wharf. When this condition is in effect, boat
owners and crew will perform no maintenance (e.g., power washing the bottom)
when removing boats.
Fleet Captains’ Responsibilities
Club Lockdown Condition - None
All Clear Condition - At the start of the season, read and
agree to abide by SBYC Hurricane Policy. Receive boat evacuation plans from
fleet members, update fleet member contact information, create an evacuation
plan for their own boat, ensure contingency plans are in place for fleet members
who are away from the area for five days or more.
Preparation Condition - Contact fleet members to confirm plans
for their boat to be evacuated immediately if a Danger Condition is
declared. Alert Club Fleet Captain if any fleet member cannot be reached.
Danger Condition - Execute their boat evacuation plan within
24 hours. Help arrange for assistance to fleet members who need help executing
their plans.
Staff Responsibilities
Club Lockdown Condition - Update readiness condition on club
website home page.
All Clear Condition - Update readiness condition on club
website home page. Monitor NHC reports of tropical cyclones formation and Strike
Probability maps. If the map shows an elevated strike probability for Cape Ann,
Club Manager declares a Preparation Condition.
Preparation Condition - Club Manager begins preparations to
protect club property that have minimal impact on normal operations, alerts
volunteers. Sailing Program Director alerts students and makes arrangements for
evacuation of sailing program dinghies. If a tropical storm warning is issued by
the NHC, Club Manager declares a Danger Condition.
Danger Condition - Club Manager contacts volunteers, evacuates
club boats, and completes club preparations. Contact the Rockport Police
Department to advise of plans and request parking on T Wharf for boats/trailers
in transiton. Sailing Program Director oversees
evacuation of sailing program dinghies. When the storm passes, the Club Manager
performs a walkthrough of the club premises with House Committee Chairman, Race
Committee Chairman, and the Club Fleet Captain to inspect premises, declare Club
Lockdown Condition, and schedule All Clear declaration. If racing fleets are
expected to return, arrange time slots for returning fleets/boats.
Private Boats on the Dock
During a Danger Condition, the dock is reserved for the
protection of club property only. Therefore, no racing boats or winter storage
boats are allowed on the dock when a Danger Condition is in effect. Drysailing
fleet captains are responsible for removing absentee fleet member’s boats from
the dock. Any racing or winter storage boats left on the dock when a Danger
Condition is in effect will be ineligible for dock space until after the next
racing or storage season. From this day forward, only current winter storage
boats which are on cradles will be exempt from this policy. Any new winter
storage boats, and current winter storage boats on trailers will have to be
evacuated during a Danger Condition.
Execution of Policy
The five readiness conditions will be instituted by the Storm
Committee. The panel will use information gathered from the National Weather
Service to determine which readiness condition to enact during storms. Once a
Danger Condition has been instituted by the panel, club members will have 24
hours to evacuate their boats via the Sandy Bay Yacht Club. After 24 hours has
passed the club will be in Locked Down condition for final preparations to club
property only. Any time during these final 24 hours the club may be locked down
due to unsafe conditions by the Storm Committee. We strongly recommend removing
property during the Preparation Condition to ensure the safety of your
belongings.
