Owning a boat gives you freedom over your warm-weather fun. Whether you’re sailing on a river, lake, or ocean, you enjoy operating your boat as well as feeling the cool breezes. However, owning a boat also gives you many responsibilities, especially if you frequently dock for short timeframes. To minimize the chances of accidents and costly damages, keep these essential considerations in mind when short-term docking.
Maintaining Your Insurance
It’s easy for accidents to occur when you’re docking. From fuel spills to collisions, these problems are expensive if OC Boat Insurance does not cover you. Before you set off for trips with lots of stops, ensure that you’ve paid your premiums.
When you’re looking for a new boat insurance quote, ensure that your policy covers contractual liabilities. This type of coverage helps if you’re docking and the marina owner or staff damages your boat. Once you’ve got a policy, be wary of the contracts that dock owners want you to sign; some involve waiving your rights to coverage.
Additionally, your insurance should keep defense costs separate from the rest of your liabilities. Hopefully, your packed itinerary won’t end at the courthouse, but if it does, you want your insurance provider to help with your legal costs.
Another key part of OC Boat Insurance is consequential damage coverage. Sometimes, your boat gets damaged through a natural disaster or wear-and-tear, and you don’t realize it until you’re docking your boat mid-trip. For example, if your hull has rusted and fuel leaks into the marina, you could face consequential damage charges. If you’re not covered, these bills put a quick stop to your dock-hopping trip.
Docking Your Boat Correctly
In addition to finding a good insurance company and keeping up with your premiums, you must follow the best practices for docking when you’re making short-term stops. First, keep an eye out for other mariners, especially ones who are leaving or entering the marina at the same time. Be careful not to cut anyone else off, and communicate through hand signals to avoid collisions.
Second, tie your boat off properly so that it doesn’t run into someone else’s boat, prompting a legal battle that uses your OC Boat Insurance. For short-term docking, you don’t need to secure every line the way you do with long-term docking. In calm weather, your midship cleat should be sufficient, allowing you to complete your refueling process and get back on the water quickly.
Thirdly, especially if you’re only using the midship cleat, always leave someone with marine skills onboard while you get supplies or purchase fuel. That way, if your line comes loose or your boat starts to leak fuel, you’re able to address the problem before it becomes too expensive.
About Mariners Insurance
Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.
