The state of Florida is recovering from Tropical Storm Fay after four separate landfalls in different parts of the state flooded miles of coastline, low-lying neighborhoods and city streets. Now, Hurricane Gustav looms south of Cuba, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants all boat owners to be prepared this storm season.

“Now is the time to secure your vessel to make sure it doesn’t break free and cause damage to property or result in people getting injured,” FWC’s law enforcement director, Julie Jones, said. “Boat owners are responsible for their boats, so there is no walking away and forgetting about it.”

Vessels laid to waste by storms can cause problems to area waters with pollution from spilled fuel and oil. Boats can drift into waterway infrastructure, causing interference to navigation and damaging the boats themselves. The state is often overwhelmed with lost, abandoned and damaged vessels following significant storms when the wind and waves are excessive.

The FWC will assist local and federal authorities to assess waterways after storms to ensure that waters are clear of dangerous obstacles, waterway markers are intact and boat ramps are clear.

Do not put yourself at risk during the storm, warns the FWC. A prime example during TS Fay was when a kite-surfer was thrashed into a wall after a wind gust shot the man through the air uncontrollably. The South Florida man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The event was caught on tape and received national media.

Check out the June 2008 issue of Florida Sportsman for expert tips when preparing your trailered boat for a hurricane.