03/10/2025
Belfast Coastguard – Important Safety Notice Ahead of Storm Amy
Attention all vessel owners, marina operators, and coastal users — as Storm Amy approaches, now is the time to act. Strong winds and hazardous sea conditions will make it essential that your boats and floating structures are securely moored.
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⚠️ Why this matters
High winds and waves can put enormous strain on mooring lines, cleats, fenders and anchors.
Failure of a line or chafe point can lead to vessels breaking free, drifting, causing collisions or damage.
A well-secured vessel helps protect not only your own property, but also others around you (other boats, piers, infrastructure).
In storms, salvage or rescue are far more dangerous — prevention is much easier, safer, and less costly.
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📅 Forecasted Wind Periods (approximate based on current warnings)
From the Met Office:
Northern Ireland: Yellow wind warning from Friday 16:00 until Saturday 06:00
Scotland / north-west UK: yellow (and in places amber) warnings for strong winds from Friday evening through Saturday
For the Irish Sea and west coast of Scotland, conditions are expected to become increasingly hazardous starting Friday evening, with the most severe gusts through Friday night and gradually easing during Saturday.
Please note: these timings are based on current forecasts and may shift. Always monitor updates from the Met Office and local weather services.
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✅ What you should do now
1. Double-check all mooring lines
Use strong, serviceable lines and ensure there is redundancy (multiple lines). Inspect for wear, chafe, knots, and fittings.
2. Use extra length / scope where possible
More line gives flexibility and energy absorption in surges.
3. Ensure proper chafe protection
Wherever lines pass over edges, cleats, fairleads or rubbing surfaces, protect them with sleeves or extra wraps.
4. Check all connections, shackles, and fittings
Make sure they are secure, properly sized, and cannot slip.
5. Deploy additional warps if available
Consider backlines, breast lines or snubbers to reduce shock loads.
6. Remove or secure loose items on deck
Anything that can be carried away by wind or waves should be stowed or lashed down.
7. Alert your neighbours & marina staff
Make sure adjacent vessels are also well secured — stray boats in a storm are a danger to all.
8. Monitor the situation & stay ready to act
Keep watch during the high-wind period, and have crew or assistance ready if lines need adjusting or repair.
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Please treat this as a serious call to action. Storm Amy has the potential to produce dangerous conditions along exposed coasts and sea areas. If in doubt, shore your vessel or move it to a more sheltered berth well in advance.
Stay safe and be prepared.
— Belfast Coastguard
