Boating Safety In Stormy Weather

Boating safety depends on various aspects: The experience of the crew, the level of preparation, the size and strength of waves and wind and the vessel itself. Inexperienced crews will find rough seas and wind disconcerting.

Get Organized!

Of course if your out with crew who haven't been through the procedure of readying the boat before a storm, then explain to them procedure, in good time.

Knowing there is stormy weather helps. Skippers know about this from their weather updates. This section of the site concentrates on the equipment necessary on board for boating safety. It is not conclusive, but by way of indication and pointers.

For example should anyone get hurt beyond a scratch - being struck by the boom, for example, then you'll want a proper boat first aid kit handy. It should contains all the initial action treatments and be properly maintained. Before the heavy sea and weather sets in, you'll need to close hatches, change sail areas, secure things in the cabin and ensure all safety equipment is out for use. Things like man overboard pole should be on stand by. Crew members should be briefed of how to use it too. It's not a boat hook after all!

Life Jackets For One And All

Life lines secure the wearer from the D ring at the front of their life jacket to the boat. Life lines Are hi tensile stranded wires which run through the stanchions offering a clipping point on deck. As we know boats pitch around violently in heavy seas.

You can't predict the motion and by that time it maybe to late. You could be grabbing your companion as they slide across the drenched deck, desperate for grip. Worse, throwing the Life sling after them in the waves. All because they felt it wasn't rough enough for that.

Boating safety preparation includes, making sure that your escape craft is able to hold all the crew on board, has provisions and is fully accessible - not tucked tidily at the bottom of the locker. Your Inflatable rafts should be stepped up in to rather than down into. Once the decision has been made to abandon ship, get everyone on to the raft, get injured parties off first and then more able after.

Children taken to sea will require more attention and information than grown ups. In order for kids to want to sail they must enjoy themselves. Explain to them what to expect - calmly.

Boating safety is make or break in terms of enjoyment for them next time out. Explain to them what to expect before the storm. Naturally in a force 10 that's unlikely to happen. Steps should be taken to minimize their discomfort. Each child must wear a Child life jacket parents / adults can adjust them so they fit correctly over their clothes. In stormy weather kids should remain in the cabin, as they will get in the way when actions are called. To make sure they are not injured check up on them often.

A watch system may be organized, teams can alternately rest below, keeping the kids company. Watches in storms tend to involve larger numbers of crew on deck, to handle the boat.

Depending on the perceived duration of the storm and distance to shore, it is often best to get to a secluded cove or harbor to wait it out. If this is not possible and the vessel is traveling too fast then rig a drogue on two lines behind the transom. It's like a lobster pot, only larger that offers a resistance to the force of the water, slowing the boat down. Bring the bow into the oncoming waves.

When the storm passes, check all equipment for wear and damage. If you need to replenish any supplies or want to search for items not mentioned above go to

Boating safety equipment

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