Prepare your yacht for Hong Kong typhoon season

Before the season, arrange an onboard check and agree a plan for your yacht and berth. Keep current official information and operator notices available, including when the owner is away.

1. 01

   Complete an early onboard readiness check

   While normal berth access is allowed, ask the responsible skipper or a qualified marine professional to review the yacht’s condition and equipment. Use the relevant manufacturer manuals, record open defects, and arrange any work in advance.

   • Review engine readiness, mooring gear and safety equipment; include communications and drainage or pumping systems.
   • Secure loose equipment and check closures against the relevant manuals; record vessel details, inspection dates and known faults.
   • Keep manuals, service records, insurance details and operator instructions together ashore.
2. 02

   Agree berth and crew responsibilities

   Get the marina, club or berth operator’s current cyclone procedure in writing. Confirm its notices, access closure and reopening process, visitor rules, and the actions expected for your berth. With the responsible skipper and operator, agree who monitors updates, how sufficient qualified crew and a continuous VHF listening watch will be arranged under current Marine Department notices, who communicates with the crew, and who remains responsible if the owner is away. If relocation is one of the options, discuss permissions, people and timing early; do not assume a shelter berth or safe window is available.

   • Name the responsible skipper and an alternate contact; keep the operator’s contact route current.
   • Keep the crew contact list current and identify who is responsible for the VHF watch.
   • Record actions for this berth and who is authorised to carry them out.
3. 03

   Follow current updates and the agreed plan

   Monitor Hong Kong Observatory bulletins and regional wind information, Marine Department notices, and the berth operator’s updates. A numbered signal is a general warning; local winds can vary. Complete permitted checks while access is safe and open. Respect closure notices and wait for the operator to confirm access before going aboard again.

   • Check for tropical cyclone, rain, flooding and storm surge information.
   • Use the agreed contact chain to share updates with the responsible skipper and crew.
4. 04

   Check the yacht after access is confirmed safe

   After official conditions have eased, wait for the berth operator to confirm access is permitted. Make a visual check from an authorised safe area. Note visible movement, contact, displaced fenders, damage, water entry or alarms. Photograph and record what you see; leave repairs and equipment checks to authorised or qualified people where damage is possible.

   • Record the date, time, location and any items that could not be safely checked.
   • Report concerns to the operator and arrange a qualified inspection if needed.

Yacht / berth: [vessel, marina or club, berth]
Responsible skipper / alternate: [names and contacts]
Berth procedure / notices: [where to check]
Access closure / reopening: [operator process]
Readiness check: [engine, mooring gear, safety equipment, communications, pumping]
Open defects / work arranged: [item, record, responsible person]
Crew and VHF plan: [confirm with skipper / operator]
Access confirmation after the event: [who confirms]
Inspection record: [date, safe observations, follow-up]