Being prepared is the most important thing when embarking on a Vancouver yachting trip. When it comes to the weather, you must be prepared for all of the eventualities as it can turn on you at any time. When particularly rough weather hits, the best course of action of course is to head back to shore where possible but where this is not possible or practical everyone aboard should be ready for the worst. - See more at: http://www.nanaimoyachtcharters.com/blog/yachting-in-heavy-weather-in-vancouver/

1. Vancouver Yachting
in Heavy Weather

2. Preparation for heavy
weather
• Kept a proper lookout with a keen
and well trained ‘weather-eye’
• Kept abreast of the latest
developments over radio and other
forms of mobile communications.
• Preparation will vary according to:
– The type of boat
– The size of boat
– The design of the vessel
– Should determine position of
storm
– The direction of the wind
– The wind speed
– The estimated time that the
storm will take to get to you.

3. Predicting heavy weather
It can be impossible to predict the
weather so to speak, but it is
possible to learn some tell-tale
signs of a storm approaching
before it hits. If you sale regularly,
or spend a healthy amount of time
outdoors then you will already
naturally know some of this. There
is a smell in the air, a change in the
wind, a glimpse of something
different on the horizon. As many
farmers say, you can smell rain
coming, and many seamen can
smell a storm on the horizon.

4. Prepare crew and emergency equipment
Ensure that all crew members
know what to do in the case of
severe weather, and also make
sure anyone aboard knows where
to find their personal floatation
device and any other safety
equipment they may need. It is
also key that people remember to
keep low in the boat, not go out
on deck unnecessarily, and not to
move around too much.

5. Prepare crew and emergency equipment
Ensure that all hatches, ports,
windows, and anything else that
could swing open or move around is
tightly secured. This ensures that
there is no risk of injury from things
flying around, and also crucially
keeps all the water out. Make sure
you have the right safety equipment
that can help keep you safe in a
storm such as a VHF radio, hand
pumps, bailers etc. You should also
ensure that people wear the correct
safety equipment as soon as you
know bad weather is afoot and that
the first aid kit is accessible.

6. Prepare crew and emergency equipment
It is always the best idea to be
prepared for bad weather when
taking a boat trip. This also
includes making sure you have
enough food and water on board
for if you happened to get
stranded out on the water for
longer than planned for
whatever reasons. Running out
of water is really not a fun place
to be, nor is running out of food.

7. Things that skipper should consider
• When the storm hits, make a
note of the boats positioning
on the chart. Also make sure
to take note of the time, your
heading, and the speed at
which you are travelling.
• If possible, turn to avoid the
storm or head back to land
• Make sure the lifeboats are
ready to be deployed if
abandonment is needed at
any point

8. Things that skipper should consider
• Turn navigation lights on and
change to a full fuel tank
where possible
• Be aware of floating debris
and other boats that may
have gone off course
• Make sure all aboard are
briefed on what to do in case
of emergency weather
conditions before you set sail

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