How To Stay Safe When Boating in A Storm

Whether you’re an experienced sailor or new to boating, thunderstorms can pose a serious threat to your safety. Severe weather conditions such as strong winds, hail, rain and lightning are dangerous because they lower visibility and create intense waves. Additionally, lightning can lead to fires and electrocution. 

This article will look at how to deal with a weather emergency while boating. We’ll provide information about what to do in a boat during a lightning storm, as well as general tips for staying safe while at sea. 

What should you do if your boat is struck by lightning? 

• Check for injuries: Perform immediate injury checks on all passengers and provide first aid as needed. If someone is seriously injured, make an emergency call for medical help.
  
• Assess the damage and check for fires: The hull, mast or other areas might show scorch marks or holes. Put out fires and extinguish smouldering objects.
• Tend to electrical systems: Inspect wiring, navigation tools, and electronics for damage, then power down to prevent additional harm.
• Test critical systems: Check if emergency propulsion and communication systems are functioning properly, and fix any issues.
• Remove water: A lightning strike can create small holes in the hull, potentially leading to flooding and sinking. If there is any water present, use bilge pumps to remove it quickly.
  
• Call for help: Contact emergency services and nearby vessels using your radio, flares and flags.
• Navigate to safety: Provided that the boat is fit for sailing, crucial systems are functioning, and emergency services agree you are safe to do so, steer towards the closest safe harbour or marina. If not, stay anchored and wait for help.

How can you avoid boat damage in a storm?

When the coastguard issues a severe weather warning or you spot signs of a storm on the horizon, it’s time to prepare your boat to withstand the worst. These tips for boating in a storm will help to protect yourself, your passengers and your vessel. 

It may seem obvious, but while you’re on the water, the boat is your safest refuge and keeping it afloat should be a top priority. If bad weather is incoming, take the time to prepare these safety measures: 

Stow loose items and gear

Secure any loose items to stop them from becoming dangerous projectiles that could cause damage.

Reduce windage

Strip your boat of canvas and use storm sails to avoid the vessel being overpowered by strong winds. Forceful gusts can snatch up dodgers, awnings, mainsails, roller-furling jibs and other fabric onboard, destroying the entire cloth structures and metal frameworks, and putting immense stress on the boat.

Check windows and latches

Panicked boaters often leave windows open and latches unfastened during storms. To prevent flooded cabins, be sure to batten down the hatches, so to speak.

Seek safe mooring

• Check your emergency plan: Before setting out, you will have created a weather safety plan with navigation to sheltered bays or storm-rated marinas where you can take refuge.
• Move slow and steady: With dark clouds rolling in, your first impulse might be to jet to shore as fast as possible. When wind and tide collide, waves become big and steep with deep troughs, and travelling at high speeds over this water will cause the boat to crash repeatedly.
• Keep enough power to maintain headway and steering: To decrease the likelihood of broaching, let the water overtake the boat by travelling at a slower speed, rather than attempting to outpace the waves.
• Steer the boat’s bow at a 45-degree angle into the oncoming waves: This will minimise the risk of your boat being swamped. When the waves are approaching from behind, it can be safe to let their momentum propel you forward.

Tips to keep you safe when boating in a storm

Although boating in a storm is highly risky, taking proper precautions can minimise the dangers to you and your passengers. Here are some important guidelines to help you navigate adverse weather conditions and stay safe:

Put on life jackets 

You should wear a life jacket whenever you’re on board – this is especially true during severe weather. It’s possible for boats to capsize or overturn, and wearing a life jacket can save your life by keeping you afloat in rough seas with high waves. Additionally, wearing a life jacket can make it easier for rescue operations to find you in dark and stormy conditions.

Stow unneeded objects and gear

In a gale or storm, a boat’s movement can become unpredictable, and loose items can shift or be thrown around with great force. This not only creates tripping hazards, but also increases the risk of you and your passengers being struck by flying equipment. To make the boat safer, secure or store any gear that is not necessary.

Avoid using electrical appliances

Storms bring lightning strikes which pose a significant risk of electrical surges and short circuits. Using electrical appliances during severe weather can increase the chance of electrical fires or shocks, putting everyone on board at risk. Additionally, wet conditions and high humidity can compromise the safety of electrical systems, making them more prone to malfunction. Create a safer environment for all passengers by avoiding electrical appliances as soon as you receive a weather warning.

Use a lightning grounding protection system

Lightning grounding systems are designed to direct the electrical energy from a lightning strike safely away from sensitive electronics and the boat’s structure. By providing a controlled path for the lightning current to dissipate, these systems safeguard passengers and crew by reducing the risk of shocks.

Do NOT touch the water

If lightning strikes the water, the electrical current can spread across the surface and cause severe shocks to anyone in or touching the water. Stormy conditions can create strong currents and unpredictable waves, increasing the risk of being swept away or pulled under. Protect yourself and stay well away from the water!

Turn on emergency lights

Rescue teams will find your boat faster if you keep your emergency lights on during bad weather. Additionally, these lights signal distress to other boats or nearby vessels, helping to avoid collisions.

Call for help

Dial 000 on your mobile or use your marine radio to make a distress call. If you have a VHF radio, use channel frequency 16 to place an emergency call to other vessels in the area and shore stations in New South Wales. Set off flares, activate your emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and lay out your V sheet to alert others of your position.

Move towards safer shores

If you have planned your route before setting sail, you will have identified nearby marinas, sheltered coves, docks or other safe places to moor during a storm. If it is safe to do so, stay calm and move slowly through the water towards shore. Be sure to approach waves at a 45-degree angle to prevent crashing and capsizing.

Improve your sailing skills with Pacific Boating

Pacific Boating members receive comprehensive training on what to do in a boat during a lightning storm. Our program covers essential skills such as how to wear a life jacket safely, the best way to secure gear, and how to utilise emergency lighting and grounding protection systems. Before you cast off, we make sure you’re equipped to handle rough seas and unexpected weather shifts.

Your wellbeing is our number one priority. Plus, our trainers are always available to assist you if you need a refresher. 

For additional peace of mind, our team is on call 24/7 to help you in any situation. 

Discover how Pacific Boating memberships work now.