Do you know your boating weather?

This week saw the annual World Meteorological Day, held to showcase the essential contribution of meteorological and hydrological services to the safety and wellbeing of society. This year’s theme is ‘Early Warning and Early Action’.

Boaters and paddlers know that weather and sea conditions play a key role in their activities, and in line with this year’s theme of ‘Early Warning and Early Action’, boaters and paddlers are urged to always check the weather and sea conditions before they head out on the water and regularly throughout the day, especially if severe weather such as storms or a wind change are expected.

You should only head out onto the water if you are confident that forecast conditions are within your capability and the limits of your vessel.

Before heading out:

• Check the BoM’s Coastal Waters Forecast for expected winds, taking particular note of the likelihood of increasing winds from sea breezes, wind changes such as southerly busters, or severe storms. Plan to be back in port before severe weather hits.
• Check forecast tides as these can have a significant effect on the safety of coastal bar crossings, and navigation in shallow inshore channels.
• Check the BoM’s Coastal Waters Forecast for expected wave heights and period. Watch out for a rapidly rising swell, and aim to be back in port before waves become dangerous to small craft.
• Check current warnings such as Coastal Wind Warnings, Hazardous Surf Warnings, Flood Warnings, Tsunami Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. Follow the advice in the warnings and consider staying off the water until conditions ease.
• Call your local Marine Rescue NSW base for current and forecast weather and local bar conditions on VHF Channel 16.

Out on the water:

• Check warnings regularly for any changes, and head back in early if conditions are forecast to become unsafe earlier.
• Call your local Marine Rescue NSW base for current and forecast weather and local bar conditions on VHF Channel 16.

You can learn more about marine weather on the Marine Services section of the BoM website.