A local boater chose to ride out Hurricane Isaias on his vessel off the east end of Dauphin Island, Alabama, as the storm drove a rising surge toward the coastline. Police had been in contact with the man earlier in the day and said he understood the danger and wanted to be on the boat as it passed.
What police reported about the boater
Officials identified him as a man who lives in the region and who wanted to stay on his boat. Police said the boater was aware of the risks of remaining aboard during a hurricane and was willing to take them. Officers had spoken with him by phone earlier on Thursday as conditions deteriorated.
Where the storm was headed
The hurricane was forecast to make landfall around 9:30 p.m. near Pensacola, roughly 95 miles east of Dauphin Island. By Thursday evening, maximum sustained winds had been recorded at up to 120 miles per hour, easing to about 110 mph an hour before the expected landfall.
What Dauphin Island faced
A storm surge of 4 to 6 feet was forecast for Dauphin Island. Across the southern portion of the state, 4 to 8 inches of rain were expected as the hurricane swept inland.
Why the choice drew attention
Boaters are typically ordered to secure or move their vessels well before hurricane conditions close in. A person staying aboard a small craft in 100-plus mph winds and a multi-foot surge faces breaking swells, dragging anchors and the risk of being driven aground or out to sea. That the boater had been in direct contact with local police and had acknowledged those risks set the situation apart from reports of people stranded by the storm without warning.
What to do if a boat is in a hurricane’s path
- Haul out: the safest option for most recreational craft is removal to a high, secure location well before tropical-storm-force winds arrive.
- Secure in place: if hauling out is not possible, double or triple mooring lines, add chafe protection and deploy extra anchors in a proven hurricane hole.
- Leave: skippers and crews with the experience and time to run should head well clear of the forecast cone, not skirt the edges of it.
- Stay off: the Coast Guard and local marine units generally do not launch into tropical-storm or hurricane conditions to retrieve people who stayed with their boats.
FAQ
Where was the boater seen during Hurricane Isaias?
The boater was on his boat off the east end of Dauphin Island, Alabama, while Hurricane Isaias approached the Gulf Coast.
How strong was Hurricane Isaias when it neared the coast?
Maximum sustained winds had been measured at up to 120 miles per hour by Thursday evening and dropped to about 110 mph an hour before the expected landfall near Pensacola.
What storm surge was forecast for Dauphin Island?
A storm surge of 4 to 6 feet was forecast for Dauphin Island, with 4 to 8 inches of rain expected across the southern part of Alabama.