The following is a safe boating message from the National safe
boating Council and the National Weather Service, reminding you that
National safe boating week is may eighteenth through may
twenty-fourth. Understanding a marine forecast is critical to safe
boating. Weather and wave conditions can change suddenly, catching
boaters off guard and creating life threatening conditions. Typical
marine forecasts predict wind speed and direction, wave heights and
periods, roughness of near shore waters, and significant weather.
Marine forecasts cover large areas and the forecast elements are
often given in ranges. The significant weather may not occur over
the entire area or during the entire forecast period. The ranges
represent average conditions over a period of time, usually 12
hours, and the actual conditions may be lower or higher than the
forecast range. Boaters should plan for conditions above and below
the predicted ranges. Take particular note of any current advisories
and warnings, including small craft advisories, gale or storm
warnings which alert mariners to either high winds or waves
occurring now or forecast to occur up to 24 hours from now. Special
marine warnings indicate a more immediate threat and are issued for
sudden increase in winds to over 35 knots, or 40 mph, waterspouts,
and hail of 3 quarters of an inch or greater. Marine weather
statements bring attention to significant rapidly changing
conditions on the water including increase in winds, non-severe
thunderstorms, and development of dense fog and gusty rain showers.
You should have a marine v h f transceiver with built-in NOAA
Weather Radio channels. If you venture beyond about a 25 nautical
mile range from shore, you should consider buying a good quality
high frequency single side-band transceiver and satellite phone.
Before setting out, obtain the latest marine forecast and warning
information from W W W dot weather dot gov slash marine, or NOAA
Weather Radio. Several days ahead of time you can begin listening
for extended outlooks which give general information out to the next
five days in both graphical and text format. To learn more, visit
the National safe boating Council online, at W W W dot safe boating
Council dot Org and visit the National Weather Service at W W W dot
weather dot gov.
