Boating: How to Boat: Safety
Weather
You should never leave the dock without first checking the local weather forecast.
You can get the weather information from the TV, radio, local, newspaper, on-line, or
from one of the weather channels on your VHF radio.
At certain times of the year weather can change rapidly and you should continually
keep a "weather eye" out. While you are out in a boat here are a few signs you
can look for that indicate an approaching weather change:
- Weather changes generally come from the west. Scan the sky with your weather eye,
especially to the west.
- Watch for cloud to build up, especially rapid vertically rising clouds.
- Sudden drop in temperature.
- Sudden change in wind direction and/or speed.
- If you have a barometer on your boat, check it every 2 to 3 hours.
A rising barometer indicates fair weather and rise in wind velocity; a
falling barometer indicates stormy or rainy weather.
What To Do in Severe Weather
- Reduce speed, but keep just enough power to maintain headway.
- Put on your PFDs.
- Turn on running lights.
- Head for nearest shore that is safe to approach, if possible.
- Head bow of boat into the waves at about a 45-degree angle.
- Keep bilges free of water.
- Seat passengers on bottom of boat near centerline.
- If your engine fails, trail a sea anchor on a line
from the bow to keep the boat headed into the waves. A bucket
will work as a sea anchor in an emergency.
- Anchor the boat if necessary.
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