Tropical Storm Isaias

[Marine Patrol]

The NH State Police, Marine Patrol Unit wants to remind a New Hampshire shorefront property owner that now is the time to prepare for the possible impacts of Tropical Storm Isaias.

Current forecasts suggest that NH will likely experience impacts from Isaias Tuesday night and Wednesday. Heavy rain and high winds are likely and can pose unexpected consequences.

To insure the safety of you and your property, Marine Patrol urges people to consider the following:

Boats:

Secure your boats to docks and moorings with extra lines and be sure your boat has enough “slack” to ride large waves without jerking or snapping lines.

Automatic bilge pumps are often wired directly to your battery. Heavy rains often drain batteries of their power resulting in boats sinking at the dock. Please cover your boat with a mooring cover if one is available. Check your boat often!

Consider docking your boat with the bow facing the waves. Large waves hitting the stern of a docked boat can quickly fill the boat causing it to sink. Be sure you have adequate water depth beneath your boat during heavy wave conditions.

Mooring chains that have not been checked are often chafed close to the mooring anchor where they experience constant movement. Storms of this significance will easily break worn chains and mooring tackle resulting in boats being thrown against the shoreline.

Secure canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and rowboats. Simply pulling these smaller boats onto the beach is not enough! Remove them from the water and place them away from the beach where they can’t be reached by high tides or lake waves.

Personal Safety and Emergency Response:

Remember, when storms are severe enough on NH’s lakes and seacoast, access to docks and shorefront property can be delayed or in some cases, impossible. If you have a medical history that might require the services of emergency responders, consider a stay on the mainland during the storm.

Be sure to have a supply of medications and provisions in the event of a power outage or access to the mainland is cut-off for the duration of the storm.

Please know that the priority for Marine Patrol and other Emergency Services during these types of weather events is life-safety. We will not be able to assist with drifting boats, boats on the rocks, or non-emergency transportation of persons to/from islands when conditions jeopardize the safety of our personnel or equipment.

In the event of an emergency, Marine Patrol can be reached by calling 9-1-1.