Boating During Storms- Take Precaution

Checking the weather before setting sail on your boat is highly important to be sure there are no thunderstorms in your area. The National Weather Service continuously updates their weather forecast to keep you informed and safe. Not all thunderstorms can be predicted even with the best reports and some smaller storms may not be reported at all. Therefore, it’s highly important for boaters to learn how to read the weather as well. A thunderstorm is already in progress when the clouds become dark and more anvil-shaped. Thunderstorms can be highly unpredictable, especially over coastal waters. Florida has the most deaths and injuries from lightning strikes than any other US state. A large percentage (more than 50%) of these deaths and injuries reported occur to people who are involved in water-related activities like boating, swimming and other recreational activities.

If a storm should arise while you are boating or engaging in any water activities, get off the water immediately.  It is crucial to follow certain safety precautions to protect yourself and others during a thunderstorm if you cannot get to shore.  Be sure to stay low in the boat or in the cabin since lightning is more attracted to objects above a flat surface. Stop any water activities (like water skiing, fishing, etc), disconnect all major electronics and remove or tie down antennas.

You can also protect your boat from being a target for lightning strikes but there’s no such thing as a lightning-proof boat. All-metal ships are rarely damaged and deaths or injuries are uncommon. These ships are frequently struck but the high conductivity of metal causes a rapid dispersion of the electrical charge.  Smaller boats constructed from fiber-glass are more vulnerable to lightning strikes since any object projected above a flat surface acts as a potential lightning rod.

Lightning can seriously injure or even kill you. Be sure to take all precautionary measures to protect yourself and others in any weather condition.

Boating and Alcohol Don't Mix

Said simply, boating and alcohol don't mix. Many things can go wrong when operating a watercraft. You need to be on top of your game to ensure you can handle whatever could go wrong, or whatever surprises Mother Nature may bring. Alcohol weakens your judgement abilities and therefore compromises your safety when on the water. Here's an article on the topic:

Boating Under the Influence, Dont Do It

For more information on drinking and boating from the US Coast Guard, visit this link:

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boating_under_the_influence_initiatives.aspx

Safe Boating!
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Keep Safe on the Boat in Bad Weather

Its that time of year again! Inclement weather is abound and in full force. This doesnt stop many of us from continuing with use of our boats. For this reason, knowing the proper procedures during storm conditions and types of weather is paramount. Check out the article on our website on how to stay safe during inclement weather conditions.


Guidelines to Follow for Boating in Bad Weather

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Tips for Boating Safety from Allstate.com

Safe boating is easy and requires nothing more than planning ahead. Allstate.com outlines a safe boating plan which you can view by clicking here. Read below for the basics:

Always wear a life jacket when possible! Life jackets are of no use if you simply buy them and never wear one. Even if you are a professional swimmer, a life jacket can still save your life.

Make sure to let someone know your float plan. This includes who is on board the boat and your planned location and time to be spent on the water. By letting someone know where you are and when you plan to return, you save yourself hours of possibly being stranded on the water with no one knowing of your dilemma.

Be aware of weather conditions. As weather can quickly change on the water though, its always wise to have a back up plan. Store foul weather gear on your boat, this will come in handy in case you should encounter any unexpected storms.

Be careful when fueling the boat. Fires and explosions are caused every year from the gas vapor buildup on boat motors. Proper ventilation of the engine compartment and other areas will help to ensure safety.

Know the rules of the water. Always be on the lookout for other boaters. With the sport of kayaking and canoeing getting more popular each year, there are many small boats to watch out for. Remember "Red, Right, Returning"- meaning that red markers are always kept to the right of the boat when returning to harbor.

Boating and drinking can be deadly. According to the USCG, boating while under the influence accounts for a third of all fatalaties on the water. Drinking while driving the boat is of course a major no-no, but the USCG reccomends passengers avoid it as well to decrease the risk of onboard injuries.

Boating can be dangerous, but by following these simple tips you will be ensured a much safer experience. Of course, there are more guidelines, but these are some of the most basic and important.

Happy Boating!

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