Here's an example of the Towboat Hurricane Checklist:

This checklist may be used by anyone and disseminated as wanted.

HurCon Checklist for M/V _____________________
Updated: 15JUN2015

5= Set during Hurricane Season (01Jun-01Dec)
4= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 72 hours (See Houston Port Condition WHISKEY)
3= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 48 hours (See Houston Port Condition X-RAY)
2= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 24 hours (See Houston Port Condition YANKEE)
1= Hurricane Force winds are expected within 12 hours or less (See Houston Port Condition ZULU)
HURRICANE SEASON: regular season "01June through 01December"

HurCon 5: Automatically set at the beginning of Hurricane Season (01Jun) and is automatically
secured at the end of the Hurricane Season (01Dec). Upon setting HurCon 5:

Update and top off inventory of groceries and supplies

Top off all 5gal gas cans (stabilized) for small boat
Maintain adequate amounts of Potable Water onboard

Update the Hurricane Contingency Plans

Review the plans with Shipmates.



HurCon 4: Set when expected landfall is within 72 hours and within range to affect the tow.
Upon setting HurCon 4:

Top off gas cans if possible.

Top off Fuel and Potable Water Tanks, if possible.
Go to the grocery store and top off the pantry with normal foodstuffs.

Insure that flashlights and lanterns are working.

Review Bug Out options based on storm strength, predicted landfall, host locations available,
likely storm path after landfall. Consult with Port Captain and Dispatch.

HurCon 3: Set when expected landfall is 48 hours away and is close enough to affect the tow.
Upon setting HurCon 3:

Walk the decks. Have everything on deck either lashed down or secured in the Rudder Room.

Top off fuel and Potable Water tanks, if possible.

Consult with Port Captain and finalize plans to either ride out the storm or to evade.

Lash down Park Bench to Fleet Deck.

HurCon 2: Set when expected landfall is 24 hours away and is close enough to affect the tow's
location. Upon setting HurCon 2:

Relocate the tow to the chosen location and tie off securely to what's available.

Secure all missile hazards on the deck. Lash down everything that is loose.

Batten down completely all weather doors and hatches.

Tie down all trash cans securely.

Bring down and stow all flags that aren't needed for safe navigation purposes.
Charge up all cell Phones, Laptops, Net Books, etc. Minimize usage. Set up a
Communications schedule with Port Capt.and keep electronics secured until needed
so as to save battery power.

Lash down all Barge Drip Pans securely.

Stow all barge fire extinguishers in Barge Dryboxes.

Secure all Barge Dry Boxes with a hand tight Nut & Bolt.

Relocate all coiled lines to Barge Shack or within the spill containment areas.

Stow barge trashcans in the Rudder Room.

Lash Cargo and Vapor Hoses down.

Lash Barge Spill Containers to stanchions

Properly secure Barge Booms in cradles.

Have crew wash and stow their laundry.


HurCon 1: Set 12 hours prior to expected landfall.

Visually monitor what the storm is doing, (from the safety of the Pilothouse), for
the duration of the storm.

Be prepared to grab Life Jackets and run to higher ground, if worse case scenario were to develope.

Pull Scupper Plugs on empty barges for the duration of the storm.

Place both MDE's and GEN's on the line for the duration of the storm.

Post-Hurricane Checklist

1) Once storm passes:

A) Assume HurCon V.

B) Conduct a damage survey of the boat and tow. Update the Port Capt and Dispatch. Wait until channels have been checked for sunken debris and reopened by the USCG.
C) Make basic repairs, as possible, to damaged areas of the boat and tow so as to prevent further
damage.

2) Store those items not needed and break out those items that are needed:

3)
_________________________
QMC, USCG (Ret)
The best luck is what you make yourself!