{"id":33597,"date":"2021-06-02T14:14:29","date_gmt":"2021-06-02T18:14:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=33597"},"modified":"2021-06-02T14:14:29","modified_gmt":"2021-06-02T18:14:29","slug":"know-before-you-go-boaters-should-always-check-the-weather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2021\/06\/02\/know-before-you-go-boaters-should-always-check-the-weather\/","title":{"rendered":"Know Before You Go: Boaters Should Always Check the Weather"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Eye to the Skies Can Avoid Disaster<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Photo

Photo by Lisa Creamer, submitted to the 2019 Maryland DNR Annual Photo Contest<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Boating in Maryland is an enjoyable and exciting experience, but it can quickly turn into disappointment or even disaster for boaters who fail to check the weather before departing shore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every summer, the Maryland Natural Resources Police<\/a> responds to multiple boating accidents due to rough waves and inclement weather.\u00a0 During the season, the weather can change in an instant — which makes it essential that all boaters check the weather before leaving shore and remain watchful for ominous weather signs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boaters out on the water should head for shore without delay at the first sign of threatening weather approaching. A good tip for keeping a watchful eye on severe weather is to look west, the direction from which most poor weather arrives. A common trick to determine the distance you are from an approaching thunderstorm is by counting the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the clap of thunder. Dividing the number of seconds by five yields roughly the storm\u2019s distance in miles.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a storm can\u2019t be avoided while on the water, boaters must ensure everyone aboard is wearing a life jacket in case the boat overturns. If lightning is frequent, passengers should stay below deck and avoid objects that are not grounded to the vessel. Taking a few minutes to check the weather before departing and while boating is essential, even life-saving in some cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are more tips to ensure a safe, fun-filled boating experience:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n