Weather can cause boaters problems. Having a mishap in cold water or in a remote area can result in hypothermia or other problems. Getting caught in a storm can have very serious consequences. Never underestimate the weather.

Factors that determine weather conditions can be observed and measured. They include temperature, barometric pressure and wind. Weather affects the condition of open water and can change suddenly. Check local forecasts the night before going boating and again in the morning. The National Weather Service typically issues a new marine forecast every six hours on designated VHF radio channels.

Signs that dangerous weather may be approaching include:

• Clouds gathering, darkening and increasing in size.
• A sudden temperature drop, a rapid wind shift or change in speed.
• Static on the AM band of the radio may indicate an approaching thunderstorm.
• A drop in the barometric pressure (check a barometer).

IF A STORM IS NEAR...

In a small boat, put on your life jacket and head for the nearest shore. Beach your boat and find shelter on the downwind (leeward) side of the land.

In a large boat, put on your life jacket, start your engine or secure your sails (whichever is applicable). Stow anything that is unnecessary. Secure your dinghy (if you have one) and turn on your running lights. Close up the boat and decide what to do. If land is near, head for it. If not, you may have to ride out the storm. Do so by keeping your bow (front) headed into the waves, wind and/or current. If your motor fails, a sea anchor on a line from the bow will keep the boat into the waves. A bucket will work as a sea anchor in an emergency.

No one should ever count on being rescued. Boaters must be prepared for mishaps on the water. Drowning can occur within a few feet of safety. Even nonswimmers can save a life if they know some basic rescue techniques.

THE RESCUE SEQUENCE

1. SELF RESCUE - The rescuer should try to talk the person in trouble into self-rescue and avoid endangering themselves unnecessarily.
2. REACH - A fishing rod, shirt, towel, branch, oar, pole, boat hook or other object can be used to reach out to the victim. If nothing is available and the victim is within arm's reach, the rescuer should lie fl at and extend a leg to the victim, pulling them to safety.
3. THROW - If the victim is too far for the reach rescue, the rescuer should throw a rope, life jacket, jug, ice chest, gas can, or anything else that will fl oat to the victim. Rescue line bags are excellent items to keep on a boat.
4. ROW - The rescuer may boat out to the victim and extend an oar or paddle. The victim should be brought back onboard over the stern (back) of the boat. They should be pulled onboard as carefully as possible. If it isn't possible to bring them onboard, the rescuer should have them hold on to the boat, or hold them until help arrives.
5. GO - Swimming rescues are for trained lifesavers only. A swimming rescue should never be tried until all other basic rescue methods have been ruled out. Rescuers who must swim to a victim should take a floating object with them to extend to the victim. Rescuers should avoid personal contact with the victim unless they have had lifeguard training. Even then, it is used only as a last resort.

The method of rescue depends on the rescuer's training and skill, the condition and location of the victim, the equipment available and what additional support is available at the scene.