Tsunami Damage: How to Protect Your Boat

While the Pacific coast was largely spared from tsunami damage following the recent 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia, it serves as a powerful reminder of the very real threat posed by earthquakes and resulting tsunamis—especially for those of us living near the Pacific’s Ring of Fire.

I can remember being aboard a friend’s boat in Puerto Vallarta after the tragic March 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami. Although many thousands of miles from the earthquake’s epicenter in Japan, the “tide” in Marina Vallarta cycled up and down repeatedly about 3 feet over a three-hour period. It felt very unnatural. The current race caused some pilings to give way in Banderas Bay in a couple of marinas allowing docks to go on walkabout with boats still tied to them. A few west coast marinas in the US experienced more severe currents and dock and boat damage. 

 I did a few of races from California to Hawaii in the years after Fukushima and witnessed Fukushima flotsam in patches long the way across the Pacific. Sailing past various plastic items with Japanese writing on them was a sad and lasting reminder of the human tragedy that resulted from that earthquake. The force of these natural events is staggering and far reaching. 

How to Prepare Your Boat for a Tsunami 

If time allows, take your boat to deep water—few miles offshore—where the effects of the wave are less destructive. However, be aware that the slip you vacated may have been damaged and cannot be occupied when you return until damage assessments and repairs have been made. 

If your boat is trailerable, load the boat on its trailer and move it to higher ground as soon as possible.

Beyond moving the boat out of harm’s way, all you can do is add fenders, add dock lines, and add chafe protection to your boat and boats around you. Then, prioritize your safety—get to high ground immediately.

And remember: your yacht insurance should cover damage caused by such events, but only if your policy includes the right protections. Review your coverage regularly and talk to your agent about adding tsunami or hydrometeorological risk protection, especially if you’re docked in a high-risk coastal zone. Most importantly keep you and your family safe!