| For an enjoyable day of leisurely boating, there's | | | | Stay alert. |
| nothing better than blue skies and calm waters. | | | | As you're boating, keep the weather radio on. In |
| But let's face it-weather happens everywhere, at | | | | general, the forecasters who create the weather |
| all times of the year, and we all have to deal with | | | | reports can pick up on changing weather patterns |
| it at some point. So, as you're preparing for | | | | before these changes are visible. So, if you hear |
| boating season, don't just cross your fingers and | | | | any advisories over the radio, take them |
| hope for the best. Instead, there are real steps | | | | seriously, despite what your eyes tell you. Always |
| you can take to make sure that weather events | | | | know your coordinates, and be prepared to turn |
| don't ruin your outings. You can't stop the | | | | around and go in to shore at a moment's notice. |
| weather, but you can make sure that you're | | | | Also, even as you're enjoying yourself, be sure to |
| prepared and that you keep your family safe. | | | | keep scanning the horizon in all directions. In |
| Here's what to do. | | | | addition to keeping you aware of your |
| Plan ahead, and be flexible. | | | | surroundings on the water, this will give you a |
| Of course, if you're planning a trip months in | | | | sense of what's going on with the weather. |
| advance, there's no way of knowing what the | | | | Look for signs. |
| weather's going to be like. But once you get | | | | If you see flashes of lightning or dark, rolling |
| within 1-2 weeks of that boating day, you can | | | | clouds, don't risk it. Turn in toward shore. Maybe |
| begin to start monitoring the forecast. If possible, | | | | the weather will pass in the end, but it can't hurt |
| keep your plans from being set in stone until | | | | to at least get closer in. Also listen for distant |
| you're within one week of the day. Then, a week | | | | thunder, and be aware of any sudden changes in |
| ahead of time, if the forecast is showing at least | | | | the wind direction or velocity. |
| a 50% chance of bad weather, you might want | | | | Respond smartly. |
| to consider adjusting your plans. | | | | If you do happen to get caught in a bad weather |
| Have the right equipment. | | | | situation, make sure everyone is wearing their life |
| For maximum safety, it's best to have a NOAA | | | | vests, have everyone sit low in the middle of the |
| weather radio, a marine map, a GPS device, a | | | | boat, and continue heading toward shore at the |
| compass, and all the emergency equipment | | | | maximum speed that is safe. Then, once you get |
| required by the local and national laws. | | | | ashore, get everyone inside of a car or a building |
| Double check. | | | | as quickly as possible. Remember that your boat |
| Immediately before heading out on the water, do | | | | is only property, and that the most important |
| a double check of the weather conditions. Listen | | | | thing is to keep people safe. You can always go |
| to the radio on the way to the water, and before | | | | back out when things are clear. |
| setting out, check the horizons for dark clouds. | | | | |