Coastal Cumberland

... National safe boating week continues...

... Safe navigation in fog...

The following is a safe boating message from the National safe
boating Council, reminding you that National safe boating week is
may 18th through may 24th.

Chances are that when you are on the water, you will at least
occasionally encounter reduced visibility in fog, and you will need
to know how to navigate through it safely. Fog forms when air over a
warm water surface is transported over a colder water surface,
resulting in cooling and condensation. Fog is usually considered
dense if it reduces visibility to less than one mile. It can form
quickly and catch boaters off guard. Visibility can be reduced to a
few feet, disorienting boaters. Learning to navigate through fog (or
avoiding it) is critical to safe boating.

Recent recreational boating statistics indicate that 193 accident
occurred in poor visibility during 2011. This resulted in 43 deaths
and 137 injuries.

Prior to going out on the water... you can check visibility readings
from the neracoos buoys at www.Neracoos.Org/realtime_map to see if
there is fog in the vicinity of the buoy.

If you encounter fog, navigate at a slower than normal speed.
Slowing down will help you avoid collisions.

Turn on all of your running lights, even in daytime.

Listen for sounds of other boats that may be near you, or for fog
horns and Bells from nearby buoys.

Vhf NOAA Weather Radio should broadcast important information
concerning the formation, movement or dissipation of the fog. Pay
close attention.

If your vessel has radar, it can be used to help you locate dangers
that may be around you.

Use GPS or a navigation chart to help obtain a fix on your location.
If you are unable to get your bearings, stay put until the fog lifts
but make sure you are in a safe location.

Be familiar with horn and Bell sounds that should be produced to
warn others around you when in dense fog.

Have a Compass available. Even if you dont know where you are in the
fog, with a Compass you can determine the direction you are
navigating.

This message has been forwarded to you by the neracoos... the
National Weather Service and the National safe boating Council.
Visit neracoos on the web at www.Neracoos.Org... the National Weather
Service at www.Weather.Gov and the National safe boating Council at
www.Safeboatingcouncil.Org