You finally winterized your boat, and you think it’s tucked away safe until spring. Think again! The mobility and value of a boat makes it a tempting target for thieves, especially when it’s in winter storage. Before you pack up your boat, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) flags five signs to watch out for to mitigate the risk of theft. Electronics left inside or mounted outside the boat grab attention. Remove all movable electronics and appliances. Take pictures of permanently installed electronics, and record the model, serial number, manufacturer and description of ea ..read more

After a long summer of boating fun, boaters across the country are preparing their boats for their yearly hibernation. Taking the extra steps will not only protect the boat but will ensure an easier, stress-free launch come springtime! Winterization 101 BoatU.S. has compiled a complete playlist of articles, videos and checklists you need to ensure that your boat is safe. In a nutshell, winterizing means storing your boat properly, making sure engines and are protected, and the plumbing is freeze-proof. Storage: This is the starting point for any winterizing plan. Storing a boat in a climate-c ..read more

The Atlantic Hurricane Season is nearing its peak time as we approach late summer and early fall. Though conditions have been in our favor till now, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) still expects an above-normal season in the coming months. To ensure you and your boat are protected, let’s take a look at some resources. Preparedness for boaters According to the National Hurricane Center, there is no single rule of thumb that can be used by mariners to ensure safe separation from a hurricane at sea. Instead, constant monitoring of potential hurricanes, risk analysis and bas ..read more

Our New England Ocean Marine team recently hosted a summer outing in Essex, Massachusetts for local producer partners. The day started with a guided tour of the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum located in the heart of the coastal town historically known for its shipbuilding trade. The museum was established in 1976 and exhibits rare and extensive archives of the local shipbuilding industry through antique shipwright tools, photographs, films and displays. After the museum, the group went for a two-hour lunch cruise on the Essex River that offered beautiful views of the quaint t ..read more

It may not seem like the most stylish item to wear on a hot sunny day, but a personal floatation device can greatly increase your chance of survival in an accident. And if you think you will have enough time to grab and wear a lifejacket in case of an emergency, unfortunately, that is often not the case. According to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), as many as 86% of drowning victims of recreational boating accidents in 2020 were not wearing a lifejacket. USCG provides the following insights on when to wear a lifejacket, how it saves lives and steps to take to wear it ..read more

As boaters, we know how important it is to safeguard your vessel from cold weather. Boat winterization protects the engine, electronics and all the other components of the craft if handled properly. Block some days on your calendar this spring to take your boats out of storage and get them ready for the waters! Read on to discover how to properly de-winterize a boat. Follow a simple checklist like the one offered by Boat Safe and refer to your owner’s manual – these are essential to getting your boat ready for action. Here is the checklist in a nutshell: Remove the boat cover and inspect for ..read more

As we edge closer to the winter months, this is the perfect time for boat owners to start thinking about how to properly safeguard their vessel from cold weather. Winter can cause damage to marine property if the right precautions aren’t taken. So, get ready to winterize even if you are in an area that experiences milder winters. The process will protect the engine, electronics and all the other components of the craft. Storage There are mainly three ways to store boats. Out of the following methods, the best option is indoors as it is climate-controlled, but if that isn’t an option for you ..read more

Intact Ocean Marine was recently featured in an article by Emmaus, a housing nonprofit based in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Our Ocean Marine group’s New England region was the top performing region in 2020 and was awarded our annual Flagship Award. The winning office chose to donate the $600 award to Emmaus via our Charitable Trust. Meredith Atwood, Regional President of Intact Ocean Marine, is actively involved with the nonprofit and presented the check to its Director of Philanthropy Gretchen Arntz. Founded in 1985, Emmaus is a community-based nonprofit that provides housing, and shelter progr ..read more

Summer is in full swing! That means boating season is here and we are ready to get into the water! As we all know, being on a boat is one of the most enjoyable things to do in the summer heat. For drivers however, approaching the dock, even for the most experienced boaters, can be nerve-racking. This is especially true in crowded marinas or when environmental conditions are not in your favor. Bringing your boat to the dock and safely docking it is both a basic skill and an imperative one. Discover Boating offers a step-by-step guide that will make your next docking experience a bit easier: Pr ..read more

We are in the midst of winter and spring is only a couple of months away! This means we are eagerly waiting to take our boats out in the water again! But before that, if you haven’t already; this is the time to prep your boat for the upcoming boating season to ensure it is seaworthy and safe. The time and effort spent on the process of winterization will directly affect the boat’s performance, so protecting vessels properly is crucial. Once temperatures rise, you will want a seamless transition back into the water! Our latest boating article from National Marine Underwriters provides a useful ..read more