Mercer

... National safe boating week may 18 through may 24...

This is the sixth in a daily series of messages produced by the
partnered National Weather Service and National safe boating Council.

Thunderstorms can be a mariners worst nightmare.

Thunderstorms can produce sudden strong shifting winds... lightning
strikes... torrential downpours and even a waterspout once in a
while.

While there are no specific warnings for lightning... all
thunderstorms produce it. A lightning strike to a vessel can be
catastrophic... especially if it results in a fire or loss of
electronics. If your boat has a cabin then stay inside and avoid
touching metal or electrical devices. If your boat does not have a
cabin... stay as low as possible.

Boaters should use extra caution and have a plan to avoid the
storms. Do not venture out when thunderstorms are a possibility.
If you do venture out and become aware of approaching
thunderstorms... head to port or safe shelter as quickly as
possible.

Boating safety begins ashore with planning and training. Since
thunderstorms are generally brief... waiting it out ashore is better
than riding it out on the water.

This message was brought to you by the National Weather Service and
the National safe boating Council. Visit the National Weather
Service Mount Holly office on the web at www.Weather.Gov/phi and
the National safe boating Council at www.Safeboatingcouncil.Org