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-------- Original Message --------
446
NOUS41 KWBC 161942
PNSWSH
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Headquarters Washington DC
342 PM EDT Mon May 16 2011
To: Subscribers:
- Family of Services
- NOAA Weather Wire Service
- Emergency Managers Weather Information Network
- NOAAPORT
Other NWS Partners and NWS Employees
From: Therese Z. Pierce
Chief, Marine and Coastal Weather Services Branch
Subject: National Safe Boating Week: May 21-27, 2011
The National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating
Council will partner for National Safe Boating Week,
May 21-27. The week will highlight weather and safety-
specific Public Service Announcements for the recreational
boating public. Topics include wind and waves, thunderstorm
safety, safe navigation in fog, life jacket wear, and
boating under the influence.
Before you and your family get out on the water this year,
grab a life jacket and Wear It! Nearly 85 percent of
those who drown while boating were not wearing a life
jacket. Wearing a life jacket is one of the simplest and
most effective life-saving strategies for safe recreational
boating. Boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-
approved life jacket on board for every passenger on their
vessel.
Wind and waves affect all types of boats so it is important
all boaters know basic facts about winds and waves. Wind
over water is usually stronger than over nearby land. Winds
and waves can change quickly in speed, direction, and
steepness so always check the marine forecast before taking
your boat out on the water.
The effects of alcohol and drugs are just as hazardous on
the water as on land. Boating Under the Influence, or BUI,
affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. These
impairments can increase the risk of being involved in a
boating accident, for passengers and boat operators.
Alcohol is a contributing factor in about a third of all
recreational boating fatalities. It is illegal in every
state to operate any boat or watercraft while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
Thunderstorms can be a mariners worst nightmare. They can
develop quickly and create dangerous wind and wave
conditions. Thunderstorms can bring shifting and gusty
winds, lightning, waterspouts, and torrential downpours
that turn a days pleasure into a nightmare of distress. A
lightning strike to a vessel can be catastrophic,
especially if it results in a fire or loss of electronics.
If your boat has a cabin, stay inside and avoid touching
metal or electrical devices. If your boat doesnt have a
cabin, stay as low as you can in the boat. Ultimately,
boating safety begins ashore with planning and training.
Keep in mind that thunderstorms are usually brief so
waiting it out is better than riding it out.
Chances are you will occasionally encounter reduced
visibility in fog over the water and you will need to know
how to navigate through it safely. Fog forms when air over
a warm water surface is transported over a colder water
surface, resulting in cooling and condensation. Fog is
usually considered dense if it reduces visibility to less
than 1 mile. Fog can form quickly and catch boaters off
guard. Visibility can be reduced to a few feet,
disorienting boaters. If you encounter fog, navigate at a
slower than normal speed. Turn on all of your running
lights, even in daytime. Listen for sounds of other boats
that may be near you, or for fog horns and bells from
nearby buoys. Use GPS or a navigation chart to help obtain
a fix on your location. If you are unable to get your
bearings, stay put until the fog lifts but make sure you
are in a safe location.
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 ranges represent average conditions over a
period of time (usually 12 hours) and the actual conditions
at a particular point may be lower or higher than the
forecast range. Take particular note of any current
advisories and warnings, including Small Craft Advisories
and Gale or Storm Warnings, which alert mariners to either
high winds or waves occurring in the short term. Special
Marine Warnings are issued for sustained marine
thunderstorm winds or frequent gusts of 34 knots (39 mph)
or greater, waterspouts (tornadoes over water), and hail of
inches or greater. Marine weather statements follow up
these warnings and also can be issued to bring attention to
significant rapidly changing conditions on the water
including an increase in winds, non severe thunderstorms,
development of dense fog and even snow squalls or strong
and gusty rain showers.
For more information on hazardous weather and boating
safety, visit the following websites:
http://weather.gov/safeboating
http://safeboatingcouncil.org
NWS Public Information Statements are online at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notif.htm
$$
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