The United States is home to 13 million registered boats and about 4 million unregistered vessels. The American Sailing Association has issued more than 1 million certifications to over 507,000 sailing enthusiasts in the US. Sailing is a lifelong sport. The average boat owner in America is 58 years old, though younger generations are getting more involved in the sailing community. As younger sailors gain experience, they learn to deal with common challenges on the water, such as poor weather and emergency weather events.
The universal strategy for bad weather is avoiding it before it becomes an issue on the water. Sailors should use multiple sources to track weather forecasts before leaving the dock, including onboard instruments. Boat owners should delay or postpone outings if there is any sign of challenging weather in the forecast. Reliable sources of weather information include local news broadcasts and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Individuals must familiarize themselves with local and seasonal weather patterns. For instance, waves and tides are usually strongest between January and February. Peak hurricane season, meanwhile, occurs during July and August.
Sailors should have the means to continue tracking weather forecasts after departure. Those new to boating must appreciate the fact that weather can change in an instant on the ocean. In addition to following real-time weather updates and checking the ship’s barometers, individuals must learn to spot signs of bad weather on the water and in the sky.
Any notable change in cloud formations is usually indicative of a change in weather, such as masses of tall, dark clouds and expansive gray skies. These signs are especially concerning if they are accompanied by a change in the wind or a fall in barometric pressure. Wind and cloud formations arriving from the west have a higher chance of bringing bad weather.
Rough, choppy water is another sign of oncoming weather. It can be difficult to hear distant thunder while on the ocean, but sailors should keep their ears open and remain vigilant for lightning. Sailboats are particularly vulnerable to lighting, as they often lack electrical grounding.
If possible, boat owners should head in the opposite direction of a thunderstorm and seek the closest harbor or safe shore. If a vessel cannot escape the impact of a storm at sea, all passengers should remain sheltered in the cabin and avoid contact with metal surfaces. They should stay low in the boat and away from windows. Most storms are brief, and it is advisable to wait out storm conditions rather than attempt to sail out of them.
However, not all storms pass quickly. During emergency weather events, boat owners must remember that boats accelerate greatly when driving down large waves. A common mistake involves oversteering and commanding a larger-than-necessary change in direction. This also creates a big change in wind angle, which can capsize a vessel. Sailors need to remain calm and utilize a light touch when sailing during extreme weather.
Even seemingly minor weather events can spell disaster for inexperienced sailors. Foggy conditions dramatically increase the risk of a collision, especially when it fills narrow inlets and crowded bays. Fog may follow a storm, but is also a common feature of many harbors during early morning hours. Morning fog can persist for many hours, making it a weather challenge that sailors must learn to navigate as soon as possible.
