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Good Weather Can Turn Nasty on the Water, So Be Prepared

June 10, 2009 - GRAY -- The weather in Maine has little to offer for guarantees. That's probably why people often say, "If you don't like the weather ... wait a few minutes."

It's an amusing perspective, but boaters should keep it in mind. Knowing what might happen with the weather is key to deciding when and where to go, what to bring (such as warm clothing or foul-weather gear), or whether you should even go at all.

John Jensenius of the National Weather Service office in Gray puts it succinctly: "Pay attention to the forecast and be prepared to react to changing conditions."

As boaters, we're lucky to have weather information available in enough formats and media types to suit all preferences. Current weather conditions and forecasts can be found on cable and satellite TV, the Internet, VHF radio, weather radios, and other sources. For the die-hard techie who wants to get weather on their iPhone, there's an app for that! Actually, there are several choices from familiar sources like The Weather Channel and Weather Underground.

For those who long for the good old days, Coast Guard Sector Northern New England marked the start of hurricane season on June 1 by resurrecting a traditional storm warning system for mariners – with a new twist. Old salts (and perhaps a few middle-aged salts like me) might remember when the Coast Guard displayed flags outside its station in South Portland to signal advisories from the National Weather Service. After being in place for more than a century, the service was discontinued in 1989.

This week, the flag went back up at the Coast Guard base, along with a webcam. People on the waterfront can get the latest marine weather advisory with just a quick glance. Those out of eyeshot of the Coast Guard base can log on to www.uscg.mil/d1/sectNNE and see if any flags are flying. The site includes a picture of each of the four warning signals – small craft advisory, gale warning, storm warning, and hurricane warning – along with a description of the wind and wave conditions they represent.

But the absence of a flag at the Coast Guard base is no reason for complacency. Even when there's no official marine weather advisory in effect, any forecast that mentions possible thunderstorms merits extra caution on the part of boaters. As they pass over our lakes and coastal waters, these storms pack dangerous lightning and heavy winds that can turn seas from calm to confused in minutes. Those who decide to go out, especially if they're in a smaller craft, would be wise to plan ahead, keep a sharp eye on the skies for thunderheads, listen for updates on the VHF or weather radio, and head for shore should storm clouds develop. Sailors should be prepared to reduce canvas at a moment's notice. And if you can't get to safety quick enough, donning life jackets before conditions get dicey greatly improves your chance of survival should the wind or waves knock you overboard.

Jensenius points out that the cold water temperatures typical of late spring make going overboard something to be studiously avoided.

"It can be especially dangerous this time of year if you end up in the water," he says.

In addition to the site for Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, here are some good sources for weather information:

• National Weather Service office in Gray: www.erh.noaa.gov/gyx/index.php. The NWS is the source of information for many other weather providers. Its site includes a clickable map of Maine with any weather warnings depicted by color. Point to your location, click, and get your forecast for the day.

• The Weather Channel: On local cable and satellite TV or at www.weather.com. The TV version has local conditions and forecasts every 10 minutes, and you can tune in while packing the day's gear.

• Weather Underground: www.wunderground.com. Along with forecast information, the site offers user-friendly links to NEXRAD radar displays with animation, storm track graphics, and other features.

• Sailflow: www.sailflow.com. A favorite of racers, Sailflow offers a graphical display of current wind observations, plus predictions for the next few days.

• The National Data Buoy Center: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/Northeast.shtml. Click on the buoy in your area (the Portland Weather Buoy is number 44007) to get hourly data on wind and wave conditions, barometric pressure, and water temperature.

The bottom line: when you're spending time on the water – whether it's a few hours on a river or lake, a day on a coastal bay, or extended time offshore – being prepared for changing weather can make the difference between a pleasant boating experience and one that's unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.

GAIL RICE, Portland Press Herald, June 4, 2009


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