Hurricanes, storms, and floods.

Three things that, as a boat owner, you don’t want to deal with. We understand the sinking feeling in your gut as you watch the weather reports, knowing that your vessel could be at the mercy of Mother Nature.

While you should always have an emergency plan in place, secure your anchor lines and remove valuable equipment, there’s an extra layer of protection you can add to stay ahead of the storm.

Imagine real-time updates, camera feeds, and early warnings at your fingertips, giving you the edge in protecting your boat from natural disasters.

This is how a remote monitoring system contributes to effective disaster management.

Why use remote monitoring?

During extreme weather events, being near your vessel is often unsafe or impractical. With remote monitoring, you get real-time access to your boat’s status from anywhere. Use your mobile device to check its position, battery banks, bilge pumps, and other critical systems. Stay updated, respond promptly to emergencies, and capture real-time pictures of your boat and its surroundings, regardless of your location.

Six ways remote monitoring helps your boat in a hurricane

Integrated sensors can alert you to potential threats and keep you informed. These timely warnings enable you to take immediate action, such as activating alarms, notifying authorities, or securing your boat further. Here are some specific examples:

1 – Track storm intensity

BRNKL’s built-in barometer lets you track the intensity of a weather event as it approaches your boat. Monitor barometric pressure to follow the storm’s progression, anticipate its impact on your boat, and make decisions regarding necessary precautions.

2 – Monitor water levels

Hurricanes and storms often bring intense rainfall, leading to rising water levels. A float switch connected to your BRNKL system alerts you to high water in the bilge, indicating the bilge is blocked, too much water is coming in, or both. This information helps you assess the risk of flooding, determine if additional mooring or anchoring measures are required, and take action to protect your vessel from potential damage caused by high water levels.

3 – Monitor shore power

Critical systems rely on power, and power fluctuations or sudden power loss can damage sensitive electronics or appliances. When you keep tabs on your shore power connection, you can take preventive measures, such as shutting down non-essential equipment or disconnecting sensitive electronics, to protect them from power surges or electrical damage caused by unstable power conditions.

4 – Detect unauthorized activity

During the chaos and confusion of a major weather event, it’s not uncommon for people to take advantage of the situation. Motion sensors can notify you if there is any unauthorized movement or intrusion on your boat. If potential theft is detected, get instant alerts and take appropriate action, such as notifying authorities or activating alarms.

5 – Support insurance claims 

In the unfortunate event of loss or damage in a natural disaster, a monitoring system provides data to support your insurance claim. With data on the severity of the storm and your boat’s position at a given time, you have a better chance of speeding up the claims process and being compensated for your losses.

At BRNKL, our customers have shared instances when their boat drifted or was impacted by external forces. Without clear, objective records, proving these events to insurers would have been challenging. Learn more about how a security and monitoring system impacts your boat insurance in this article.

6 – Get peace of mind

The ultimate advantage of remote monitoring is the peace of mind it offers. Knowing that you can keep a watchful eye on your boat even when you are physically distant provides a sense of security and control. You can focus on your own safety and well-being, trusting that you will receive timely information about your boat’s condition.

Stay ahead of the storm

By utilizing remote monitoring systems as part of your emergency preparedness, you can effectively manage and respond to natural disasters. The ability to receive real-time updates, live photos, and leverage early warning systems and smartphone alerts lets you make informed decisions to protect your boat during challenging weather.