How can you keep your boat safe during a hurricane? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers the following tips:

•  If your boat can be trailered, haul it out of the water and move it to a safe location as far from tidal waters as possible. This includes kayaks and other recreational watercraft.

•  If your vessel must stay in a marina berth, double all lines and rig cross-spring lines fore and aft and attach lines high on pilings to allow for tidal rise or surge.

•  If your vessel is at anchor, move to the most protected area possible and set out multiple anchors with at least a 10:1 scope, remove canvas coverings if possible and remove or secure any sails.

•  If your vessel will remain on a mooring, make sure the mooring is designed to withstand the load your vessel will place on it. Inspect chains and swivels that connect to the mooring buoy and double up on the mooring pendant.

•  Remove Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacons (known as EPIRBs), life rings, life jackets and loose items from the boat and store them in a safe, indoor location.

•  To prevent chafing, wrap all lines where they feed through chocks with tape, rags and rubber hoses or leather. Install fenders, fender boards or tires to protect the boat from rubbing against the pier, pilings or other boats.

•  Charge batteries and make sure they can run automatic bilge pumps throughout the storm. Consider adding backup batteries and shut off all other devices that consume electricity.