Page4_ SectionA The Abaconian September 15, 2008 Efforts were make to protect vulnerable boats Hanna From Page 2 ona mooring ball,” informed Ms. Cornish. I asked her when I spoke with her on Mon- day September 1, four days before Hanna was predicted to hit Abaco, if there were still any charters out and she replied in the affirmative. “We still have a few boats out on charter but we are in contact with the captains every day both in the morning and afternoon. If we know there is going to be a direct hit, then we get them in and off the island as quickly as possible,” she stated. The Marsh Harbour Boat Yard is anoth- er place which is full of activity as a hurri- cane approaches. On an average in full time storage they have 72 trailer boats, 41 boats in slips and 10 large boats 31 feet and up in part time storage. When I contacted the boat yard four days before Hanna was due, I spoke to an office assistant as all of the workers were out busy securing the boats. “Our job is to see that all of the boats are secured. We do not leave any boats in the water, they are all brought up on land,” she stated. “Some are blocked and some put on boat stands. We tie them down, remove the Bimini tops, take the plastic windows off, make sure that all the plugs are out and ask the customers to secure their fishing rods and cushions. The boat yard is cleared of any debris.” The Marsh Harbour Boat Yard is also committed to hauling out the boats belong- ing to Abaco Tug and Transport and secur- ing two of Albury’s Ferry boats. “These large boats are always the last to be dealt with,” stated the assistant. Capt Cyril Roker of the Port Authority, encourages all boats to find shelters so that only a few small cargo boats are tied up at the government freight dock. “Patti Toler, Boats had to be secured for Tropical Storm Hanna. Many were hauled which is the most secure way. But bigger boats had to tied off, allowing slack for the extreme highs and lows that we experience during storm tides. These are in a Slip in the harbour of Marsh Harbour. © Tol Or) SHIRLE 4 The Mud area of Marsh Harbour flooded but many residents escaped having water inside their houses. There is a danger of diseases from the standing water because of the lack of sanitary facilities in the area. operator of the Cruisers’ Net, advises boat- ers where to go to be safe,” he said. “The Duke of Topsail will stay in port if it is only a tropical storm but in the case of a hurricane it would go into the Man-O-War Channel as it is best to ride out a hurricane at sea,” stated Capt. Roker. “The other big boats will vacate the area, the Legacy staying at Coral Harbour in Nassau and the Legend in the United States.” Capt. Roker also stated that they try to get all the containers off the Port property. Shippers are asked to move their contain- ers out and most of the Tropical containers are shipped back to the United States. The Port Authority buildings are protected in the usual way with shutters at the windows and computers secured. At the Boat Harbour Marina at Abaco Beach Resort preparations for the impend- ing hurricane were completed in good time. Approximately 20 boats between 32 and 80 feet in length will ride out the ENTERPRISES LIMITED storms there. “Boaters are advised, if possible, to remove their boats, but for those that stay management reserves the right to retie the boats,” stated General Manager, Mr. Bob Kramm. “We move the boats to larger, safer slips where they will be very safe and able to withstand long and serious storms. Plastic is placed over all of the power pedestals and the power in the water is disengaged for safe- ty,” he stated. Please see Hanna Page 6 Prem O LUO NS ASD Marsh Harbour, Abaco Tent Fumigation * Pest Control Soil Treatment 45 Years Experience Tony Kemp « Tel: 367-3021 STIHL CLUB CAR ! CARRYALL ! STIHL ! STONE / PORTER CABLE | GEWALT / TORO / BRIGGS & STRATTON |! GENERAL / TRAGEWINOS The #1 Rated Golf Cars & Utility Vehicles Carryall 2 Work or play, our Club Cars provide you unsurpassed comfort, durability and performance for wherever and whenever it is needed. COME SEE OUR PORTABLE ANU STANUBY GENERATORS lel: €242¢-367-2649 ¢ Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas ¢« eMail: mh@sebahamas.com Don Mackay Bivd. THE WORLD'S #1 SELLING BRAND OF CHAIN SAW RUGGED, POWERFUL AND RELIABLE STIHL manufactures power equipment for yard and lawn maintenance, as well as construction tools such as the STIHL Cutquick Cut-off saw. STIHL - Tools you can depend on.