Saturday: May 18, 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK BEGINS...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council 
has declared May 18 through May 24 National Safe Boating Week to help promote safe 
boating practices across the Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today's topic is knowing the forecast before you go out. Before heading out on the 
waters, whether on the Great Lakes or at many of the region’s inland lakes, 
understanding a marine forecast is critical to safe boating. Weather and wave conditions 
can change suddenly, catching boaters off-guard and creating life-threatening conditions. 

Typical marine forecasts found at weather.gov/greatlakes and weather.gov/buf and on 
NOAA weather radio include wind speed and direction, wave heights and expected weather 
conditions. Forecast wave heights are significant wave height, which is defined as the 
average of the top one third of the wave spectrum. A few waves in the wave spectrum 
will be higher than the forecast. Wind conditions can vary from the forecast in some 
locations due to localized effects from the shoreline. Waves can also vary from the 
forecast in some locations due to localized effects from water current, and the 
bathymetry of the underlying lake floor.  

Boaters should plan for a range of conditions and take particular note of any current 
advisories and warnings, including small craft advisories, gale or storm warnings which 
alert mariners to either high winds or waves occurring now or forecast to occur in the
next day or two. 

Special marine warnings are issued for winds of over 34 knots or 39 miles per hour, 
waterspouts and hail of 3/4" or greater and indicate a more immediate threat. Marine 
weather statements bring attention to significant rapidly changing conditions on the 
water including a sudden increase in winds, non severe thunderstorms, development of 
dense fog or strong and gusty rain showers. 

If you go out on the water, you should have a marine VHF radio equipped with a weatherband 
to receive the latest broadcast from NOAA weather radio. If you venture beyond 25 nautical 
miles from the shore you should make sure you are outfitted with sufficient radio and 
communications systems. 

To obtain the latest marine forecast and warning information from the NWS, visit 
weather.gov/greatlakes, weather.gov or listen to NOAA Weather Radio. 
For more information about boating safety visit weather.gov/safety/safeboating 
and safeboatingcampaign.com

Sunday: May 19, 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council has 
declared May 18 through May 24 National Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating 
practices across the Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today's topic is life jackets. Before you and your family go out on the water this 
year, ensure your boat is equipped with enough life jackets for everyone on board and 
wear them. Boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket on board
for every passenger on their vessel. Unplanned immersion in cold water can be life-threatening
for anyone without protection from the temperatures or a lifejacket to help you stay afloat.
Drowning can be instantaneous. Wearing a life jacket significantly increases your survival
chances. Nearly 90 percent of those who drown while boating were not wearing a life jacket. 

The best option is to always wear a life jacket, but New York State law requires that life
jackets must be worn at all times in the following situations. Children under 12 years of
age on a vessel less than 65 feet in length, unless they are in a totally enclosed cabin. 
Everyone being towed (water skiing, tubing, etc.). Everyone on a personal watercraft. 
Everyone on a vessel less than 21 feet in length including canoes, rowboats, and kayaks 
while underway between November 1st and May 1st.

Modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. They are
comfortable, lightweight, and perfect for any boating activity or sport. No matter what the
activity or life jacket style chosen, the most important thing to remember is this: remember
to grab a life jacket and wear it!

For more information about boating safety visit weather.gov/safety/safeboating and 
safeboatingcampaign.com

Monday: May 20, 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council has 
declared May 18 through May 24 National Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating 
practices across the Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today's topic is safe navigation in dense fog. Don't be caught in a fog, especially 
on the water. Fog can create very low visibility, making safe navigation difficult for boaters. 
Fog is formed when the atmosphere becomes saturated near the surface, essentially creating
a cloud at the surface. Fog is common on the Great Lakes during the spring and early summer 
when water temperatures are still cold. Warm air masses from adjoining land areas flow over
the lake and are cooled to saturation by the cold lake water, forming a layer of marine fog
over the lake. Fog is common on smaller inland lakes and rivers during late summer and fall, 
when cooler nighttime temperatures interact with the still warm water, resulting in saturated
air and fog.

If your boat is shrouded in fog, reduce your speed and ensure everyone on board is wearing a 
life jacket. Display navigation lights and sound warning signals for limited visibility 
following navigation safety rules. You can anchor in a safe location and wait until visibility
improves. You can also recruit your passengers to act as lookouts to watch and listen for 
signals or sounds from other vessels, or the sound of breaking waves. 

Remember that safe boating is no accident. Consider staying in port when dense fog is occurring
or forecast. Check the latest forecast before heading out on the water, and be aware of the 
conditions that are favorable for fog development.

For more information about boating safety visit weather.gov/safety/safeboating 
and safeboatingcampaign.com

Tuesday: May 21, 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council has 
declared May 18 through May 24 National Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating 
practices across the Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today’s topic is navigation rules of the road. Do you know what to do when approaching, 
meeting, or overtaking another boat? Before you take your boat out on the water this season, 
it's important to know the nautical rules of the road.

The nautical rules of the road are the navigation rules for preventing collisions on the water.
Knowing the nautical rules of the road is important for all boaters. Knowing what to do when 
meeting, crossing, or overtaking another boat can prevent costly damage to your boat, personal
injury, or even loss of life. Whenever you believe there is a risk of collision you should slow
down, stop, or steer away from the situation as described in the navigation rules. Maintaining
a proper lookout and a safe speed are all a part of the navigation rules and should be an 
important part of your boat operation.

Take some time to learn the nautical rules of the road this summer and ensure safer boating for
you, your family, and the other boaters on the water.

For more information about boating safety visit weather.gov/safety/safeboating and 
safeboatingcampaign.com

Wednesday: May 22, 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council has 
declared May 18 through May 24 National Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating 
practices across the Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today’s topic is a Vessel Safety Check. This boating season, take advantage of the Vessel 
Safety Check program. This is a free, no risk service provided in your area by the U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons. A qualified vessel examiner will conduct an
inspection of all the required safety equipment carried or installed on a vessel and certain
aspects of the vessel's overall condition. Even if you pay careful attention to safety, 
dangerous mechanical problems can crop up on the best maintained boat. That’s why the U.S.
Coast Guard recommends that all recreational boats, including personal watercraft, get a free
Vessel Safety Check every year.

A Vessel Safety Check is the best way to learn about conditions that might put you in 
violation of state or federal laws, or worse, create an unsafe condition for you and your
passengers on the water. If the vessel meets all requirements, the examiner will award a 
Vessel Safety Check decal. If your vessel fails to receive a Vessel Safety Check decal, no
law enforcement action will be taken and the examiner will provide a list of items for 
correction. 

For more information about boating safety visit weather.gov/safety/safeboating and 
safeboatingcampaign.com

Thursday: May 23, 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council has declared 
May 18 through May 24 National Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating practices across 
the Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today’s topic is lightning safety on the open water. No one thinks they will be struck by 
lightning, but the most common threat boaters face in thunderstorms is lightning. Lightning 
can generate a phenomenal amount of heat that can vaporize water, melt metal, or even cause 
objects to explode. In fact, bolts of lightning can produce extreme temperatures of over 
50,000 degrees fahrenheit, or almost 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun! A lightning 
strike to a boat can be catastrophic, especially if it results in a fire or loss of radio and 
navigation equipment. 

Although you cannot prevent lightning from striking your boat, you can take protective measures 
to limit the damage. The best thing to do as soon as you see lightning or hear thunder is to 
head to shore and take shelter on land until the storm passes. If you must weather the storm 
on the water, drop anchor so the boats bow points into the wind. If your boat has a cabin, 
stay inside and avoid touching metal or electrical devices. If your boat doesn’t have a 
cabin, stay as low as you can in the boat. 

Ensure that everyone on board is wearing their life jacket. To protect your boat, make sure 
it is grounded. Use a good conductive material to allow the current to travel through and 
off the boat through a discharge plate or the keel. Another way to minimize the risk of a 
lightning strike is to install a static dissipater. Even though you can’t stop lightning 
from striking, you can take measures to minimize the damage to your boat and those on board.

For more information about boating safety visit weather.gov/safety/safeboating and 
safeboatingcampaign.com

Friday: May 24, 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONCLUDES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council has 
declared May 18 through May 24 National Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating 
practices across the Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today concludes National Safe Boating Week. Over the past week, we have covered a variety
of topics to help keep you safe on the water. Knowing the forecast before your trip is 
critical. Weather and wave conditions can change suddenly, catching boaters off-guard 
and creating life-threatening conditions. Boaters should plan for a range of conditions 
and take particular note of any current advisories and warnings, including small craft
advisories, gale or storm warnings which alert mariners to either high winds or waves 
occurring now or forecast to occur in the next day or two from now.

Dense fog and lightning can be particularly hazardous on the water. Dense fog can result 
in very poor visibility. If your boat is shrouded in fog, reduce your speed and ensure 
everyone on board is wearing a life jacket. Display navigation lights and sound warning 
signals for limited visibility following navigation safety rules. Lightning is the most 
common threat boaters face from thunderstorms. The best thing to do as soon as you see 
lightning or hear thunder is to head to shore and take shelter on land until the storm 
passes.

Before you and your family go out on the water this year, ensure your boat is equipped 
with enough life jackets for everyone on board and wear them. Boaters are required to 
have a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket on board for every passenger on their vessel. 
Before you take your boat out on the water this season, it's important to know the 
nautical rules of the road. The nautical rules of the road are the navigation rules for 
preventing collisions on the water. Knowing the nautical rules of the road is important 
for all boaters.

Ensure your boat is safe this year by taking advantage of the free Vessel Safety Check 
program. A Vessel Safety Check is the best way to learn about conditions that might put 
you in violation of state or federal laws, or worse, create an unsafe condition for you 
and your passengers on the water.

For more information about boating safety visit weather.gov/safety/safeboating and 
safeboatingcampaign.com