Summertiiiime and the boatin’s easy… until the heat of the day gets the hydrosphere roiling, that is. As a general rule, when school’s out, I stop trying to predict the weather with any accuracy (it ruins my average). I simply have to revert to just staying extra vigilant as dangerous weather can pop up out of nowhere like some kind of tropospheric ninja. As the captain of any vessel, your prime directive is the safety of your passengers. The number one most likely threat to that directive on a daily basis is high wind. The wind emanating from a strong squall can be upwards of 50 mph. Over a stretch of water, even as small as the 12-miles across Tampa Bay, that kind of wind force can raise four foot waves in minutes. This is not a scenario any of us wants to become trapped in as the chances of vessels our size taking on water in those conditions is nearly 100%. To avoid this, we need as much warning in advance as possible so that decisions can be made.
1. Scan the sky constantly during your excursion for cumulus clouds on the horizon or even straight above you
2. Once recognized, grab a phone and get into a weather radar website or app.
3. Answer these questions about the storm:
- Is it expanding or contracting?
- Is it moving? What direction? How fast?
- Can it affect you at your current location or where you’re headed?
4. Take action to avoid the foul weather area. That could mean holding your position to let the cell pass ahead of you, running ahead of the cell just to avoid immediate danger, jumping into a nearby port for safety, or even hunkering down on the leeward side of an island: https://youtu.be/YEAOtvKjwi8
5. Lightning will complicate matters as it can strike over 10 miles from the storm cell. If you can’t stay that far away from it, your best bet is to find “any port in a storm” and exit the vessel until it passes.
So, while summer is a wonderful time to get out on the water and cool off, you will need to keep an eye on the sky to ensure your safety. And remember, the bottom line is:
Better safe than sorry.
