Weathering the Storm: Preparing Your Superyacht for Extreme Weather Conditions

For many of us, it's a thought that sends shivers down our spines. To be at the mercy of the oceans during extreme weather is not something high on the list of most superyacht owners; luckily, with advancements in technology and communication, there should never be any reason to find oneself in that position. Still, the vessels must be able to handle the worst thrown at them if circumstances make facing bad weather unavoidable. If you choose to charter from us, you can rest assured that all Simpson yachts and superyachts are kept in pristine working condition and in the best possible shape to withstand dangerously extreme weather conditions. This article will examine the best ways to prepare your superyacht for severe weather and contains tips and advice from our experienced team of professionals.

What is extreme weather?

When we hear talk of extreme weather, the degree of seriousness depends on the individual speaking. People are prone to hyperbole, and a more scientifically-accepted definition of extreme weather might be as follows:

• Extreme weather refers to unusually severe, unexpected, or unseasonal weather. Most instances of genuinely extreme weather sit at historical extremes and would need to be within 10% of the worst examples on record to be described as such by meteorologists.
  

Some typical extreme weather conditions sailors might expect to encounter include:

• Gale-force winds (hurricanes and typhoons)

• Tornados 

• Sudden drops in temperature

• Unexpected ice in the water

• Hailstorms

• Excessive rain

These elements are often combined for even greater danger. Experienced sailors know how serious they can be and avoid them at all costs. Vessels that face these conditions far out at sea have little choice but to do what they can to get through safely. Ride the storm, so to speak. 

Avoidance is the key

It is safe to assume that most superyacht owners do not have to power through dangerous weather conditions and can change course to avoid as much trouble as possible. That is not to say yacht owners and pleasure sailors can never be troubled by extreme weather. They can, however, change their plans and head elsewhere with the right amount of warning and resources. If extreme weather strikes, a container ship longer than the Empire State Building is tall, weighing 600,000 tons, cannot simply change course in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This article will focus on the more nimble, capable crafts, but our respect goes out to those brave souls who face terrible storms far from the safety of dry land. 

Protecting your vessel

As with so many aspects of nautical life, the preparation beforehand can make all the difference when the time comes. Flailing around in a wild panic at the news that a hurricane is approaching helps no one and will likely increase your chances of losing your yacht to the destructive chaos. It is essential to have a plan of action cemented in place and to execute it without question when the time comes. This applies no matter where your vessel happens to be, but if you are moored in one of the world’s extreme weather hotspots, the pressure to act quickly and effectively is much more likely to come into play.  

Planning ahead

From the moment you first set foot on your dream superyacht, you should have a plan if disaster strikes. Sit down with your captain, crew, and any friends and family who will regularly be on board beforehand and ask yourself the following questions:

• What level of protection does the yacht’s regular berth provide against wind, waves, and tidal surges? 

  Don’t make the mistake of thinking this only applies if the vessel is sitting on the water; you should answer the question even if it spends most of its time in a boat shed or on a wheeled trailer. The waves might be removed from the equation by its proximity to the water, but the wind and any large-scale disasters like tsunamis will not.

• How busy is the marina where the yacht is moored? 

  Are you likely to face an insurmountable jam of people removing vessels from the water if a big storm is announced incoming?

• Does the facility have plans to safeguard everyone, or is it down to timing and luck? 

  As the owner of a high-end vessel, presumably paying high mooring fees for a more extensive berth, are you guaranteed access, or is it first-come-first-served?

• Are neighbouring vessels well-kept and adequately protected during rough weather?

  The chances of your vessel being damaged by dislodged anchors and debris from a neighbouring one that has not been adequately maintained are high. Assess the situation, and if you are moored next to lackadaisical types, consider requesting a move. The annals of lost and damaged crafts are filled with people who did their utmost to protect their vessels, only to see them destroyed by others breaking loose and annihilating them.

• If hauling the vessel out before a storm arrives is an option, what are the conditions like on shore? 

  Does the land rise high enough to protect against a storm surge? Are there any other factors to be aware of, like less sturdy structures or advertising hoardings that will catch the wind and may be ripped from the ground, risking damage to your vessel?

• Does the yacht’s insurance have any stipulations regarding storms? 

  If your policy insists on certain protections and actions that must be performed as a storm approaches, you may find it nullified if you do not comply, and superyacht repairs are not cheap.

• How long does it take from receiving the storm warning to haul the vessel out of the water and convey it away from danger?

  Practice this and give yourself an estimated figure of how much time is needed. Remember that pre-storm winds can also be strong and will likely hamper your efforts, so dry-running the procedure on a calm, sunny day will only give you a rough time. You must add extra time to handle inclement weather and unexpected contingencies. 

Crucial storm-proofing tactics

If your vessel cannot be hauled out of the water and must remain in its berth for whatever reason, there are still things that can be done to reduce the chances of damage, namely:

• Reduce the effect of wind hitting the vessel. 

  Remove anything that is not screwed down and that presents a surface for the wind to drag across. This is especially true of fabrics, as strong winds soon find the weaknesses and tear them to shreds. In the process of doing so, you can expect it to cause severe damage to any supporting metal framework and generally put enormous stress on the vessel as a whole. Strip all canvas and anything else made of fabric from the exterior to be safe. 

• Double or triple your attachment points with the dock.

  Spread the loads between as many cleats as necessary and tie off to additional fixed objects on the land. Trees are perfect as the ones surrounding marinas often tend to be palm trees, which can flex and withstand incredible wind speeds without being uprooted or snapped. Remember, as tempting as it might be to pull all your ropes tight to prevent movement, you need to leave slack to accommodate tides and any storm surges.

• Remove valuables 

  From electronics and glassware to pieces of artwork and loose items that face being ruined in an agitated environment, carefully pack and remove anything valuable or fragile ahead of time. Insurance companies may refuse to cover things you could have taken away but chose not to. If it has value and you have the time to remove it, do so.

• Top up batteries to ensure bilge pumps remain operational.

• Photograph your efforts

  Insurance companies might query your attempts to prevent damage, and it can never hurt to have proof. Photos will also be a helpful reminder/checklist the next time extreme weather looms. 

• Secure any openings you can 

  Tape over those that will take in lots of water if the wind and waves should lay over the vessel. Don’t neglect engine vents, ports and hatches, stern, bow, and anchor lockers.

• Hang protective bumpers.

  The ubiquitous old tyres used to buffer vessels for as long as anyone can remember are highly effective at their job, hence the proclivity for their use. Keep a stash of extra ones with ropes already attached in your boat shed or storage area and drape them liberally off the sides of your vessel. 

Should you stay onboard or seek shelter elsewhere?

This is a challenging consideration and depends on your ability to withstand rough treatment, how practical you are at fixing things on the fly, and the speed of the winds. You will achieve nothing except putting your life at risk unnecessarily if you are incapacitated by nausea when the rolling starts or the winds are too severe to do anything except hang on for dear life. Re-setting any bumpers, adjusting the tension on lines, and running the engine to assist the pumps are all good ideas but present a very different challenge in the face of a major storm. 

When wind speeds reach a certain point, it will be impossible to achieve anything, and the chances of being injured or even killed are exponentially higher as they rise. Luckily, modern forecasting is so accurate and reliable that it is possible to make an informed decision with the maximum amount of data at your fingertips. Anything above 60 knots (111 Km/h) will be a nightmare you want to avoid being anywhere near, and all you can do is rely on your comprehensive preparations and hope for a bit of good luck. 

Is your vessel up to heavy weather sailing?

Modern vessels are remarkably seaworthy, but you should have them checked regularly and given the green light to take to the open water. Some astute alterations and improvements you might consider making include:

• Latches that are operable from inside and outside the vessel, allowing you to seal yourself below in emergencies.

• Bilge alarms in case of water seepage.

• Stowage space below deck for essential equipment to be stowed safely. 

Additional considerations

It may sound drastic and terrifying to contemplate, but a clever strategy is to sit quietly in your vessel and picture what would happen if it were to be inverted in the water suddenly. Which items are guaranteed to move? Which pose the biggest threat to life and limb if they fly around loose? Visualise each interior section as if under extreme agitation and duress, then focus on securing the items that will likely wreak havoc and cause injury. 

• All cabinets and storage units must have sturdy catches to prevent them from swinging wildly.

• Review the location/security of the life raft — It is not unheard of for life rafts to be torn free and lost in extreme weather. Placing and securing life rafts is difficult because they must be deployable in around 15 seconds, so simply lashing them tightly to the craft is not an option. 

• Crew moving outside the cockpit in heavy weather must wear tethers, preferably double ones with short and long strops.

• If anybody goes overboard whilst attached to a tether, they will be dragged unceremoniously through the water, a dangerous occurrence in itself. Every vessel needs a fast, effective means of recovering those who go overboard. This system must account for them being incapacitated and unable to help themselves or their rescuers. Performing recoveries is challenging enough when practising in perfect conditions but doing so in the teeth of a howling gale, driving spray, and violent lurching is the stuff of nightmares.

Conclusion

We hope this article has not put you off chartering a yacht and experiencing the mixture of exhilarating thrills and unmatched relaxation that accompany time spent on the open water. Although storms are increasing in frequency as the planet warms, modern forecasting and communication techniques are so sophisticated that it should never be an issue if you stay alert and have a plan in case bad weather threatens to spoil the party. The best way to handle heavy weather is to avoid it.

Contact us

Please contact us with your questions and comments; we love discussing our incredible range of vessels and can walk you through their safety features and storm-proofing abilities. At Simpson Superyachts, we have a team of professionals and the luxury vessels you need to make your dreams of life on the ocean waves become an unforgettable reality.