Tropical Storm Prep: Sea Tow Captain Available to Share Prep Tips for Boaters as Debby Hits Florida This Weekend

By Abbie Lipton

Tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued in the Florida Keys and many parts of Southwest Florida, with Governor Ron DeSantis declaring a state of emergency for most of the counties in the cone of the storm. The National Hurricane Center predicts a track crossing over the Keys on Saturday, wrapping into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday and making landfall north of Tampa Bay on Monday. The system is forecasted to strengthen into Tropical Storm Debby as early as Saturday, with sustained winds of 65 mph. The disturbance is expected to produce a maximum of 12 inches of rain and the surge could reach 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels. 

With heavy rain, gushing winds and flash flooding, Florida boat owners may find themselves dealing with unpredictably high water levels at marinas and docks. A large discrepancy in water levels from rising and lowering tides and strong winds can put boats in harm’s way, potentially hitting or getting stuck under the dock and facing damage.

Sea Tow® – recognized throughout the marine industry as Your Road Service at Sea® – urges boaters to prepare for potential storms now and have a tropical storm response action plan in place to keep themselves and their property safe this season. Boat owners need to consider the rising and lowering tides and arrange the lines to allow for the greatest flexibility.

Sea Tow has been at the forefront of on-water assistance since 1983, with more than 500+ ports nationwide. Today, in addition to on-water assistance, the franchise network handles salvage and recovery missions, and responds to natural disasters, environmental hazards and oil spill cleanups. Sea Tow offers its members free boat towing in their home area, tow coverage to repair facilities on all covered vessels, alternatives to towing such as battery jumps, fuel delivery, covered ungroundings, disentanglements and more, along with additional paid on-water services such as boat salvage and recovery, vessel for hire and environmental response.

Beyond the member-only, on-water assistance services that it’s known for, Sea Tow has responded to every major hurricane since 1989 to assist with vessel recovery and clean-up efforts. Sea Tow’s network of experienced captains can advise on how to keep boats safe, both on water and back at the dock, including times of unpredictable weather.

Please let me know if you are interested in speaking with a local Sea Tow captain, who can speak to safety and best practices for protecting boats during volatile weather, as well as what key questions to ask insurance companies as the tropical storm approaches. They can share insight and demonstrate how to properly tie up boats to keep them free from damage.