BOATING TIPS -- NOVEMBER 1994
Boating in Stormy Weather

The big wind of October 2, 1994 came up and scared the dickens out of a lot of boaters! On that Sunday, a lot of skippers were bringing their boats home from what might have been the last nice weekend --- although Saturday started off drizzly. But then when it cleared, and got beautifully sunny, many thought they had it made! But, as they say, Mother Nature is fickle, and not to be taken lightly.

The outcome, as we said, was a lot of boaters in various stages of concern, from mild apprehension to outright panic, and understandably so.

How does a boater deal responsibly with such a situation? How do you know whether to leave or stay in port? How do you make such a day a tolerable, or even, at least, "interesting" and not scary for your passengers?

After lots of mistakes myself, it seems to me that there are several areas of preparation: Your boat; your experience; emergency planning; trip planning; crew communication; and dealing with reality. Let's deal with them one by one:

(1) Your boat: If you're going to travel in difficult seas, you'd better be sure that your vessel is completely seaworthy and that you know it well. This includes having all the safety equipment in place and in order; good communications gear, particularly your VHF; good fuel filters that are clean, with tanks empty of debris; bilge pumps that are working properly and that have sufficient capacity for high seas; and cabinet latches that won't spill open and help to create a chaotic environment or cause injury from debris. Take a look about your boat and review it with the question in mind, "If I take this vessel into rough seas, what could go awry?" Then deal with that problem in advance!

(2) Your experience: I have always felt that the way to gain experience in varying sea conditions is by trying new skills a little bit at a time. Just as an athlete trains by adding a little to his physical effort each day as he gets conditioned, the boater can try things a little more challenging each time he has the opportunity. But if you want to get into serious trouble, over-extend yourself! If you've never been in three-foot seas, you shouldn't tackle six-foot seas! On the other hand, if you've been sailing in 15-knot winds, you certainly should be able to handle 20-knot winds, provided that boats the size of yours are physically capable of it. Be honest with yourself: Are you ready to tackle this calmly, and well-prepared?

(3) Emergency Planning for contingencies is the most-overlooked area of seamanship among recreational boaters, I think. Have you and your crew ever put on the life jackets? Do you put them on when the going gets rough? Have you ever had a man- overboard drill? Have you planned your route carefully? Is the equipment you'll possibly need "at the ready"? Is loose stuff secured to avoid loss, damage, or injury to crew? How will you deal with an unexpected event? Are critical items redundant? Prepare for the "chain of events" that can lead to a serious accident: falling off the deck doesn't kill you, but going out on deck without a safety line and a life vest, then falling off the deck without any crew plan for recovery, could!

(4) Trip planning: Not knowing in advance your course, and running through a windy passage, is more likely to be unpleasant than planning your course, getting the weather from the radio, and picking leeward waters. What are conditions like in that place when it's stormy? What is the tide and current doing? Use judgement! Ask others for their experience.

(5) Crew communication: In terms of how your passengers will deal with the passage, communication in advance is crucial. If you know the weather is going to be bad, or before it worsens if the weather is starting to deteriorate when you're underway, communicate with your passengers. "Here is what I think the weather is doing", "Here is how I'm going to deal with it", "Here is what we'll need to do now", "this is what we can expect" are all important topics to be, at least briefly, discussed. Most important final questions are, then: "Do you have questions about this plan and continuing", and "Are you reasonably comfortable with these decisions?"

Many of us guys press on unnecessarily in rugged weather. Our companions are apprehensive, for they lack the bravado that we exude. And that same bravado makes us even less believable to them! (Incidentally, small apprehension is often solved just by letting your companion take the wheel in high seas: it's far more comfortable to be at the helm in a storm than below decks, isn't it! Why not let you be uncomfortable instead of her!)

(6) Dealing with Reality: When you start to be concerned, head for shelter or call for assistance. Don't wait until you're desperate. If your crew is seriously concerned, don't ever adopt the "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" demeanor: it was okay for Halsey, but is inappropriate for us pleasure-boaters!

On that infamous October 2, I've been told there were 27 boats in Inati Bay. There, they could watch the storm outside the harbor in complete safety, and swap storm stories around a hot cup of coffee or a cold drink. The kids could play cards, or mom and dad alone could enjoy a "found moment" with one another just cuddling.

And that sure beats terror, tension, guilt, and embarrassment!

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