Know where the boat will go, how it will be secured and who is responsible for each step. Remove loose gear, protect openings, charge batteries and document the boat’s condition.
Follow marina, insurance and local emergency guidance. Never risk personal safety to protect equipment once conditions deteriorate.
Identify the haul-out route before coastal traffic builds and know whether the destination can accommodate the boat, trailer and tow vehicle. Owners near Fairhope, Point Clear, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach should account for low-lying roads, bridge traffic and the possibility that marinas or storage yards will close access as conditions worsen.
Photograph the vessel, equipment and identifying numbers before the season. Keep insurance contacts, registration and the storm plan somewhere accessible away from the boat. Once local officials issue evacuation guidance, personal safety takes priority over last-minute adjustments.