BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS 83


HAZARDOUS WEATHER RESCUES Key Points E Assess situation taking into account weather, resources, and risk factors.


E Be guided by the concept: People First—Equipment Second. E Execute the rescue option appropriate for the situation.


Hazardous weather can cover a variety of conditions including: squalls with sudden dramatic increases in wind speed lasting a short time high winds and rain associated with local thunderstorms or strong low pressure systems; or severe storms with winds of 50 knots and more. Even conditions of 15 to 25 knots could be hazardous for small sailboats that could be overpowered or swamped, or for inexperienced sailors.


ACCESS TO WEATHER INFORMATION


Weather conditions and forecasts are updated to reflect evolving conditions, and this information is available to safety boats while on the water. While marine weather information is broadcast on VHF radios, weather information is also available on mobile phones, tablets with wireless capability, and weather-enabled GPS. This information includes radar images depicting


National Weather Service Definitions


High Wind – Sustained wind speeds of 35 knots or greater lasting for 1 hour or longer, or winds of 50 knots or greater for any duration.


Small Craft Advisory – an advisory issued by coastal and Great Lakes Weather Forecast Offices with an upper wind speed of 33 knots and a lower speed ranging from 20 to 25 knots with seas ranging from 5 to 10 feet or greater depending on the geographic area.


This is a radar image of approaching weather.


precipitation and its intensity and motion, hourly weather forecasts with wind speeds and direction, weather warnings, and storm tracking.


RISK ASSESSMENT


As conditions approach the hazardous level, assess the seriousness of the situation and be prepared to deal with boats at highest risk. Factors to consider include: Weather. Determine the expected severity and estimated arrival time of the weather. Be aware that some weather may be a local condition and may develop suddenly. The severity and estimated arrival time will affect your rescue options: E Time to rescue a boat or boats before conditions get worse E Time only to remove the boaters for their safety and abandon their boat(s) for later recovery


E Time has run out and options are limited to survival


Squall – A strong wind characterized by a sudden onset in which the wind speed increases at least 16 knots and is sustained at 22 knots or more for at least one minute. In nautical use, a severe local storm containing winds, cloud mass, precipitation, thunder and lightning.


Squall Line – A line of active thunderstorms, either continuous or with breaks, including contiguous precipitation areas.


Special Marine Warning – Issued for potentially hazardous weather conditions usually of short duration (up to 2 hours) producing sustained marine thunderstorm winds or associated gusts of 34 knots or greater. Also used for short duration mesoscale events such as a strong cold front, gravity wave, squall line, etc., lasting less than 2 hours and producing winds or gusts of 34 knots or greater.


Windy – 17 to 26 knot winds


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