Today, climate change must be considered a certainty. The Mediterranean is experiencing faster temperature increases than the rest of the globe, so much so that it is considered a ‘hot spot’ of climate change.
ISPRA (Superior Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) showed an increase in average Mediterranean temperature of +0.17°C per decade. This thermal increase, however small it may appear, has impacts on climate and weather systems, including intensification of marine heat waves and impacts on ecosystems. Warmer waters provide additional energy for disturbances and thunderstorm phenomena, including the occurrence of large hailstorms.
Knowing the forecast is essential to avoid surprises at the berth. Beyond that, here are ten useful tips in case of bad weather:
Extreme weather mooring
1. Use mooring springs and high-elasticity lines, doubling them upwind and arming crossbars.
2. Abound with fenders, even hanging from the dock, to protect the stern.
3. Watch out for the anchor, with long trawls at the bow and a cross wind the anchor can hit the side of the neighboring boat.
4. Minimize the surface area to the wind on deck.
5. Remove the spray hood and any guards around the sump.
6. Close all sea intakes, hatches, diesel fuel supply valves, disconnect gas, make sure filler caps are tightly closed.
7. Below deck close all lockers or secure cabin doors and re-stripe items that may fall.
8. Charge the batteries to full capacity and then remove the cable that goes to the column.
9. Make sure the bilge pump is powered and on standby.
10. If the boat is grounded on the reservoir, it should be rigged with grounded or concrete block ropes.
You may be interested in:
Il joystick Mercury per ormeggiare un monomotore con una mano
