Hurricane Sandy Impact on Chesapeake Bay Marinas and Boats

Hurricane Sandy hits the northeast coast of the U.S. impacting boats and marinas still in the water in NJ, MD, DE and VA areas of the Chespeake Bay [Photos]

Skipjack Cove Marina on Sassafras River, upper Chesapeake Bay

For boaters along the northeast coast of the U.S., preparing your boat for a hurricane – especially at the end of October – is not at all a normal occurrence. At the end of October northeast boaters are usually thinking more about winterizing engines then bracing for a hurricane!

Hurricane Sandy was a powerful storm that hit October 29, 2012 (also known as Frankenstorm coming only 2 days before Halloween). The hurricane traveled along the eastern coastline of the U.S. and then made a sharp turn into the northeastern states of NJ, MD, DE and VA. Mixing with other winter storm systems the storm had a massive reach that impacted much of the northeast (including NY and New England).

Many boats and marinas experienced a big surge of water that covered fixed docks. For our home marina on the Sassafras River in Maryland, off of the upper Chesapeake Bay, there was little damage. Hurricane Sandy was not nearly as bad as past storms like Hurricane Irene in 2011 or Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

Luckily staff from our marina, Skipjack Cove, was on site early the morning after the storm to share updates and pictures (along with a few die-hard boaters checking out their boats and at least one liveaboard boater from our dock).

Here are some photos shared so far from Hurricane Sandy along the Chesapeake Bay:

View of boats still floating fine at marina on Sassafras River, Chesapeake Bay

Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina: water approaching outdoor deck

Dock at our marina under about 6 inches of water morning after Hurricane Sandy

Docks under water at marina on Chesapeake Bay (no obvious boat damage)

Photo courtesy of Haven Harbor in Rock Hall, MD: Water came up to marine store in parking lot but no damage.

Chesapeake Landing Marina (Annaopolis) during storm – water higher than docks

Water surge receded from docks and finger piers early morning after Hurricane Sandy

We prepared our boat for Hurricane Sandy by removing all the canvas, putting a tarp over the helm area, using extra lines and fenders.

Hope your boat and marina also got little to no damage from Hurricane Sandy! Also feel free to share more photos with me from the Chesapeake Bay on my facebook page for boating – Diane Seltzer Boating and I will add to the post.

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