Alan R. Mott Agency, Marine Insurance Specialists

08/18/2026

Hurricane season in our waters really ramps up from late August through October, so if you keep a boat on Long Island, now’s the time to lock down your plan — not when a storm’s already tracking up the coast. Whether you’re slipped in a marina on the Great South Bay, moored in a Peconic harbor, or trailering out of a North Shore ramp, a little prep now can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a total loss. Here are the top 5 things Long Island boaters should do to get ready.

1. Location is everything. A seawall or breakwater that looks protective in calm weather can fail once storm surge tops it. Know your marina’s real surge risk and have a plan to haul out or move to a hurricane hole before a warning is issued.

2. Secure the boat properly if it stays in the water. Bow into the wind, two anchors with rode 10x the water depth, doubled dock lines with chafe protection, extra fenders, and a charged, working bilge pump. Hauled-out boats fare far better than boats left in slips.

3. Strip loose gear and seal openings. Remove dinghies, cushions, electronics, and canvas; secure tillers, wheels, and booms; cover vents and plug the exhaust.

4. Sign up for alerts and know your zone. Register for Suffolk County’s Code Red system (https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/FRES/Office-of-Emergency-Management/suffolkalert-NOTIFICATIONS ) and check the Storm Surge Zone and Shelter Locator Map. Secure or bring in anything loose 18–36 hours out.

5. Protect your documents, then stay away. Store insurance papers, registration, and a photographed inventory on dry land — then stay off the water and away from the marina once the boat is prepped.

For more information please visit the selected websites below:

https://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/boaterprep.asp

https://americasboatingclub.org/index.php/about/news-and-information/hurricane-boat-preparation-checklist

https://coast.noaa.gov/data/hes/docs/general_info/HURRICANE%20PREPAREDNESS%20GUIDELINES%20FOR%20MARINAS.pdf

08/12/2026

Golden hour looks good on the water. 🌅⚓ As the sun starts to set on another summer, you gotta love a night like this.

One more reason we love what we do — protecting the moments that make summer worth it.

Who’s your go-to sunset sail crew? Tag them below.

08/11/2026

Join us for a free, live Boat on Course training session featuring Captain Alan Dennison. The session will focus on Rule 8: Action to Avoid Collision, with practical guidance to help boaters better understand the Rules of the Road and make safer decisions on the water.

Join us online Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 12:30 PM EDT.

Whether you’re brushing up on your knowledge or building your boating skills, this is a great opportunity to learn directly from an experienced captain.

Register here: https://boatoncourse.com/training-sessions/

Know the rules. Boat with confidence.

The Qualified Captain |

08/07/2026

On this day in 1789, Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouses, beacons, buoys and public piers. On the 200th anniversary of this Act in 1989, August 7 was officially designated National Lighthouse Day. National Lighthouse Day recognizes the importance of the heritage of America's lighthouses and ensuring that heritage lives on.

The Town of Huntington is home to the Huntington Harbor Lighthouse, located in Huntington Bay and maintained by the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society and the United States Coast Guard. The lighthouse was added to the National Historic Register in 1988 and remains an active aid to navigation on the water and an important piece of Huntington's history. Please visit https://www.huntingtonlighthouse.org/ to learn more about the lighthouse on National Lighthouse Day.

08/06/2026

08/04/2026

⚓ It’s every boat owner’s worst nightmare — and it happens faster than you’d think.

When your boat goes down, the question isn’t just “am I insured?” It’s:
✅ Do I have the RIGHT coverage?
✅ Is my policy enough to actually replace what I lost?

Agreed value vs. actual cash value can mean the difference between a full replacement and a painful shortfall. Don’t find out the hard way.

📞 Let’s review your policy today — before you need it.

Five people were rescued after their 17-foot fishing boat began sinking in the Long Island Sound near Asharoken, police said.

The vessel was reportedly halfway filled with water when Marine Bureau officers arrived.

Read more through the link in the comments:

08/11/2025

The Alan Mott agency is now fully remote! No more building but my team and I are ready to help with your Marine Insurance needs just as we have been for 55 years!