What do you do if you're in a small sized boat, far from shore, in a severe thunderstorm?

Question

Let's assume when you leave, the sky is blue etc...you;re 5 miles from shore and a freak-storm catches you by sursprise.

Assume this is a small 10-12 people boat, with no cabin, no nothing...no cover at all from rain or wind.

How do you keep SAFE from lightnng, wind, waves, rain and make it back ok?

What do you do if you capsize?

What type of safety equipment MUST be on board?

Answer 1

You can't keep safe from lightening.  Nor can you keep safe from wind or waves that exceed the design capability of your boat.  Rain does not present a danger as long as your bilge pumps are functional.  If they fail, and if you panic and forget to bail water, then the rain will get you, too.  If you capsize STAY WITH THE BOAT.  You can't swim to shore, you don't even know where shore is.  Since you wisely filed a float plan before you left, help will arrive as soon as it can do so safely.

Safety equipment required by law:

A PFD for each person on board, plus a throwable PFD.

At least one fire extinguisher (or more, depending on size of vessel).

A visual signalling device.

An auditory signalling device.

Between dusk and dawn, navigation lights and anchor lights.

Probably some other stuff I've forgotten about.

Safety equipment required by good common sense:

Compass and charts.

Radio.

GPS navigation.

Reserve fuel.

Plenty of drinking water.

First aid kit.

Anchor and plenty of rode.

Alternative means of propulsion.

Tools.

Answer 2

Try to maintain a visibly point of reference on shore...this way you can est. approx. how far the storm could be moving you. hunker down...PRAY...and make sure to have your life jacket at all times.

Answer 3

If possible , head the boat directly into the wind or straight away from it , or at least quarter into it to keep from the waves swamping your boat- you will have to maintain power to do this. You can pray about the lightning. On your equipment it is law that states a personal flotation device be on  board for everyone on the boat and a fire extinguisher be on board. If you are going to be 5 miles out, you need a compass and gps unit to get you back in with-also flares and a air horn in a can to be used to alert someone that you are in trouble- also a marine radio and cell phones to alert authorities. If you capsize, try to get everyone to stay with the capsized boat and hang on to it- it will be a lot easier for the rescue teams to find an entire boat, instead of several people scattered out , in which some may be found too late.

  Hope I gave you a few ideas that you may be able to use, but hope you never have too!

Answer 4

If you see a thunderstorm building you should head to shore at full speed. Period. A boat like this has no business being 5 miles out. In thunderstorms I have seen the sea go from 6" waves to 18 foot ones in less than 20 minutes. Taking 12 people with you is insane.

Answer 5

definitely GPS, definitely flares, something that makes the loudest freakin obnoxious alarm noise, some small pocket mirrors (to shine light off of), CB radio, life-suits and pizza pockets

Answer 6

You pray and do what Jtexas said.

Answer 7

If you have an installed VHF radio, the antenna will provide a protective area around it that will prevent lightning from striking the boat. Put the antenna straight up to provide the most protection. Use the radio to make contact with someone, preferably the coasties, tell them where you are, how many aboard, etc.

Answer 8

you should be prepared, watch the weather forecasts, not just the skies.