Ike is on the way.

Wanted to wish everyone on the Gulf Coast prayers of safety for Hurricane Ike.

I found this on the web, hopefully it will be helpful to some:

Properly secure boat before Hurricane Ike
Galveston County Daily news
By Joe Kent
Correspondent
Published September 11, 2008

Fishing likely will not be a hot topic until next week. Individuals with interests along the upper Gulf Coast from South of Corpus Christi to Galveston are making preparations for Hurricane Ike.

Wherever the hurricane makes landfall, the probability is Galveston will be on the wet side and receive some heavy rains and wind. Storm surge could present a problem if landfall is close enough to the island.

By the time today’s edition of The Daily News is delivered, we should have a good indication of where the high-risk areas are.

Today being Sept. 11, it is only appropriate to discuss tragic events.

I am hoping that most boat owners who have their vessels in slips along Galveston Bay have made preparations to secure their crafts, as was recommended in Tuesday’s Reel Report.

Within miles of Hurricane Ike’s landfall, it is probable that many boats and dwellings will suffer damage, especially those that were poorly secured.

Once an evacuation order is given, it is too late to make a special trip for purposes of saving your investment.

At that point, you will have to rely on your insurance policy.

If you find yourself in harm’s way and do not have the time to make all of the preparations needed to either haul your boat to safer grounds or properly secure it, here are some suggestions to consider:

• Take pictures of the boat and show any preparations you have made, such as additional tie downs and mooring lines;

• Remove any items of either monetary or keepsake value;

• Either secure or remove any loose items that would be blown away and, worst of all, used as a projectile behind a strong wind; and

• Remove any containers of oil, gasoline or other serious pollutants. Damage from the storm itself is enough; we don’t need any contaminants to further add to the destruction.

Once the “all clear” signal is given to return, be patient and give way to the permanent residents returning home.

At this point, there is not much you can do if your boat has been damaged.

Upon your return to the marina or yacht basin, if you find your boat badly damaged, take measures to prevent additional deterioration.

Take pictures of the boat in the place where you find it.

For larger boats, it will take time to have repairs made, and insurance claims will not be handled quickly.

Again, patience and common sense should govern your plans at that point.

With some luck, this will be a lesson to be remembered for future storms and the recommendations for post hurricane procedures will not have to be used with Ike, at least not in our area.