Boat Owners 'Prepare for Worst, Hope for Best'

While Hurricane Sandy heads northwest and its exact path remains unknown, Portsmouth marinas were flooded Friday morning answering calls and requests from boat owners. 

"The phones have been ringing off the hook," says Harry Hallgring, human resources and safety director for New England Boatworks. 

On Thursday, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) recommended boat owners pull their vessels out of the water and owners took notice. 

Operators at both Brewers Sakonnet Marina and Pirate Cove Marina were busy with customers Friday morning. 

However, the exact path of Hurricane Sandy is still unknown. 

According to WHDH Meteorologist Chris Lambert, the current likely scenario would bring wind and rain Monday afternoon through Tuesday with wind gusts of 40-60 mph, mostly onshore, strongest at coast with up to 5 inches of rain expected throughout the storm’s duration. Power outages are likely, along with beach erosion and coastal flooding during high tides. 

"Keep the fingers crossed," says Hallgring. 

New England Boatworks will stay open throughout the weekend to assist boat owners. They are also prioritizing the winter storage requests first before responding to storm pullout requests. 

"It's the end of the season," Hallgring says. "Our priority is people who are scheduled for winter storage. It's not fair to them to be punished due to the storm." 

New England Boatworks staff are working longer hours, however, to assist those at the marina. Hallgring recommends owners to double up on dock lines. 

"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best," he says.