What is another word for secured the hatches?
Pronunciation: [sɪkjˈʊ͡əd ðə hˈat͡ʃɪz] (IPA) 
Secured the hatches refers to the act of closing and securing all the openings in a ship's deck or hull before bad weather hits, preventing any water from getting inside. There are a few synonyms that can be used instead of "secured the hatches" such as battened down the hatches, fastened the hatches, tightened the hatches, and closed the hatches. Each of these phrases conveys the same idea of preparing a ship for rough seas, but with a slightly different emphasis. All of them demonstrate the importance of taking measures to keep the ship and its occupants safe in case of a storm.
