260 seamanship secrets
Line Squall Response for Inland or Restricted Waters
- Don foul-weather gear and life jackets. Close hatches, doors, and ports.
Stow or lash equipment and gear. - You might make harbor, but you must be moored before the squall arrives.
I’ve been caught inside a marina during a squall, trying to maneuver. We
were fortunate to sustain only minor damage to our boat. If you have
any doubt as to whether you have enough time to make port, anchor as
described in the next step. - Anchoring off ers an excellent restricted-waters alternative. Check for
room to swing and plan for the possibility of dragging downwind. Set
two anchors, 60 to 70 degrees apart. Power vessels and sailing vessels with
engines should keep the engine ticking over in case you need to relieve
strain on the anchor rode. - Have a whistle or horn ready to warn others of your location. Th e
Navigation Rules require sound signals in or near areas of reduced visibility.
Line Squall Response for Coastal or Unrestricted Waters
- Don foul-weather gear and life jackets.
- Close hatches, doors, and ports. Remove cowls and stow them below. Lash
dinghies or shorten painters. Check and stow loose gear below. Secure the
galley stove or cooktop. - Prepare for the expected abrupt wind shift. Power vessels should reduce
speed and keep the wind off the port bow. Sailing vessels should reef their
sails. If you are running or broad reaching, get onto port tack; prevent an
accidental jibe by rigging a preventer (see Chapter 9 for more on preventing
accidental jibes). - Have a whistle or horn ready to warn others of your location. Th e
Navigation Rules require sound signals in or near areas of reduced visibility.
Lightning Timing and Protective Strategies
Beware of any cumulonimbus clouds to the west of your position. Track the
movement of these dangerous clouds and time the difference between the
thunderous volleys and the white-hot fl ashes of supercharged energy. Th e most
dangerous lightning lies in the back half of the cloud base.
HOW FAR ARE YOU FROM THE NEXT
LIGHTNING BOLT?
To determine your distance to the lightning, time the period from a clap of
thunder to the fl ash of lightning. Use one of two methods to determine range
in nautical miles: