How to safeguard your ocean or seaside dock against the risk of tropical storms

Because of the quick and unpredictable evolution of climate changes, it is imperative to understand how to prepare for natural catastrophes such as tropical storms. Regardless of the unparalleled durability of our floating modular systems, protecting an asset such as your floating dock is highly recommended. It is essential to establish an emergency procedure that will protect or prevent all potential dock breaks in the case of very severe weather.

A plan for every situation

As you would for a boat, we suggest that in the event of such a situation, you remove the dock from the water and place it in a secure location, on dry land. Our modular systems offer an undeniable advantage in contrast to other types of conventional floating docks. In fact, by establishing a simple, but well thought out, plan it is possible to unfasten the anchors, dismantle and safely store any Candock floating dock within a few hours. To help you prepare an effective emergency procedure, we have come up with a few key points to keep in mind. Before beginning any groundwork, it is important to examine all available options. Here are some pertinent questions that will help you conceive the best scenario for your situation:

1. Do you have access to a safe, easily accessible and, most importantly, nearby location where you can store your dock sections?

If possible, a little clearing, a cleared underbrush, a large beach or a parking area is ideal.

2. What is the best way to remove the dock sections from the water once they have been disassembled?

Here you will want to think of any available machinery to lift or haul the dock sections (tractor, pickup truck, all-terrain vehicle, forklift, or hand-operated, electric or gas winch, etc.).

3. What size and shape of dock sections will make things easiest for you?

A simple rule applies: the more machinery and equipment you have access to, the larger the sections can be.

4. How should I go about “de-anchoring” the dock?

Depending on the environment and how the dock is anchored, this step should remain quick and simple. For example, if your dock is anchored with chains or cables attached to weights, the ideal solution is to detach each chain or cable and drop them in the water. Be sure to attach a little buoy to each chain or cable to simplify retrieval when it is time to put the dock back in the water. Each anchoring method will use the same protocol to ensure that the dock’s return to the water is as simple as its removal.

In summary

By answering these questions, you will come up with the best strategy in the event of a storm and protect your assets long-term. Once you have established the necessary tools and procedures, it is important to determine the time needed to accomplish your task. Obviously, when a storm strikes you only have a few days or hours to prepare. Needless to say that if you have any additional questions or concerns, our specialized technical team is available to help you determine the emergency protocol that best suits your needs. In a tropical storm situation, discover the advantages of Candock floating docks. Learn more