Mooring and dock lines should be strong, stretchable, and resistant to abrasion and UV. Nylon ropes have good stretching ability which can help absorb some strain as your boat is pushed around in the storm.

• If flooding or a tidal surge is expected, tie mooring lines with additional slack to allow your boat to stay on top of the water
• Add additional mooring lines
• Double the lines where possible and attach to separate cleats or strong points
• Check the cleats attached to the vessel and jetty
• Add chafe protection to prevent rope failure and damage caused by rubbing. This can be homemade and applied quickly using canvas, sail tape, garden hoses or old fire hoses

• You can't have too many fenders. If you have extras, use them all. Any type of fenders will help protect vessels from hitting the marina or other boats

Consider the weather forecast when deciding to use covers or not.

In heavy rain covers will help keep water out of your boat, and your bilge pump should remove water that gets into your hull.

If heavy rain is forecast:

• Add covers to keep rain out of your boat
• Fully charge your battery and check your bilge pump is operating correctly

In strong winds however, covers can increase the overall wind resistance of your boat, causing it to be pushed into surrounding objects - or worst case, break from its mooring.

If high winds or cyclonic conditions are forecast:

• Remove covers and clears to reduce wind resistance
• Protect the cockpit and electronics using custom covers, canvas or shrink wrap plastic and tape, secured as tightly as possible

• Apply secondary tie downs if secured on deck
• If practical, deflate and stow in vessel or other location

• Where possible, remove all electronics
  
• Cover fixed electronics with shrink wrap and tape
  
• Where possible, remove aerials and antennas

Power surges can cause damage to electrical components.

• Fully charge batteries – they will be needed for bilge pumps
• Disconnect from shore power before the severe weather arrives

Unsecured items can cause damage to your boat or surrounding boats.

• Remove and pack away cushions, furniture, barbecues and other loose items
• Clear decks of any loose items

• Remove perishable goods from the fridge and freezer and don't forget the bait freezer!
• Turn off the fridge and freezer at the switchboard (save your battery for the bilge pump)

Rolled-up sails add to the wind resistance of your boat and can become unfurled in high wind.

• Remove all sails and stow below deck

• Tape windows and hatches using duct tape or shrink wrapping tape
• Close all seacocks (especially the head seacocks)
•  Leave any cockpit drain valves open
• Make sure all cockpit drains, gutters and scuppers are clean and unblocked
• Ensure bilge is clear of loose items such as cable ties that may clog or seize the pump and/or float switch