- Have a VFH marine band radio on board.
- Check the weather before departure.
- Know the limitations of your boat. Weather conditions can change quickly.
- Have an escape plan in mind. Thunderstorms and weather related hazards for quickly.
- Never let storms cut off your safe route back to land.
- If a thunderstorm threatens while afloat, be sure everyone is wearing a life jacket as a small boat can be overturned by gusty winds of 34 knots (39 mph) or more and sustained winds of 18 knots (22 mph) can produce seas of around 6 feet.
- If lightening is threatening, keep below decks if possible. If there is no cover, get as low as possible in the center of the boat with your life vest on. Keep away from metal objects that are not grounded to the boat's protection system.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest warnings, watches, advisories, and forecasts from the National Weather Service.
For information about this web guide, contact EHS@Yaskawa.com
