| With the hurricane season in full sail and the damage | | | | purposes this encompasses the region west from the |
| to the US gulf states and the Caribbean from | | | | Venezuela coast and Trinidad in the South to Cape |
| hurricanes Ike and Gustav already running into billions | | | | Hatteras in the north. |
| of dollars, Yachtline Insurance of London, one of the | | | | The Hurricane season runs from June 1st to |
| major providers of cover for yachts throughout | | | | November 30th and all laying up conditions and |
| Caribbean region and marine underwriters at Lloyds | | | | procedures must be observed during this period for |
| of London, are warning that in some places, many | | | | the yacht insurance to remain valid. |
| yacht owners are finding that they are not covered | | | | Monohull boats out of the water, should be protected |
| having not complied with the minimum requirements | | | | in a purpose built cradle made of prefabricated steel. |
| for their policy or taken out or declared the additional | | | | Heavy duty webbing should be applied to the cradle |
| hurricane windstorm cover. | | | | to anchor it down at at least four anchor points. All |
| "We have insurance loss adjustors working round the | | | | catamarans should be securely laid up ashore and |
| clock, particularly on the Islands of Grenada, Jamaica | | | | anchored as above. Mast removal and storage on |
| and Cuba which took some of the worst damage | | | | racks attracts cheaper yacht insurance premiums and |
| from Ike and Gustav. In many places we have found | | | | should be observed if declared. However masts |
| damage to vessels that could have been avoided if | | | | removed and properly attached to the hull is usually |
| the proper hurricane risk management had taken | | | | sufficient. All sails should be preferably stored safely, |
| place" | | | | and all loose articles properly lashed down. If the boat |
| Yachtline are pointing out that no matter who insures | | | | cannot be removed from the water then stern |
| you, you should observe the requirements for | | | | mooring and guardianage should be arranged with the |
| hurricane yacht and boat insurance which are | | | | marina owners. |
| contained within your policy. | | | | If boat owners take the simple precautions as laid |
| The Caribbean Yacht Insurance cover hurricane | | | | out in their policy then the number of claims and |
| affected area is defined as north of 9 degrees North | | | | losses disallowed will reduce. Follow the instructions |
| and south of 35 degrees North, west of 55 degrees | | | | given when making a yacht hurricane area policy |
| West and east of 100 degrees West. For cover | | | | declaration. |