What Should You Do if Caught in Severe Storm Conditions?

I once ran a charter on the Chesapeake Bay. It was a beautiful day, and my passengers had a great time. But the experience turned dangerous when a sudden storm rolled in. We faced thunder, lightning, horizontal rain, and rough waves.

The Chesapeake Bay is a large body of water, so it’s common for afternoon storms to develop suddenly. They can get severe, with whiteouts limiting visibility and winds accelerating from five to 50 knots in minutes. Storms create chaos and dangerous situations when surrounded by other boaters.

But, earlier, when the sun was still shining, I did what I always do: I taught my passengers what to expect in a storm and how to respond. As chaos kicked up around us, they saw me doing what I told them I would, and they followed my lead.

Preparation made our boat calm in the middle of the storm. Everyone knew what to do, and we safely returned to shore. 

This experience reinforced several key lessons:

• Weather changes unexpectedly, so boaters should prepare for any scenario.
• Safety equipment and know-how are critical.
• Developing and practicing an emergency plan can save your life.

What should you do if caught in severe storm conditions? First, don’t panic. Next, follow these guidelines to stay safe.

What Should You Do if Caught in Severe Storm Conditions?

If a weather forecaster is right 50% of the time, they’re a superstar. So when you can’t trust your favorite weather app, rely on your preparation and experience.

Here are four ways to prepare for severe weather:

1. Emergency Plans

Simply talking about your emergency plans goes a long way toward keeping people safe in an emergency. Teach everyone on board what to do in case of severe weather. This knowledge keeps passengers calm, and you’ll have less to worry about as a captain.

The situation will end better if you have a group of prepared individuals you direct rather than a group looking to you to resolve the emergency.

Hands-on practice with safety equipment and emergency procedure run-throughs helps passengers prepare for storms, man-overboard situations, and evacuations.

Be sure to offer safety training correctly: project calm confidence, not impending doom. You’ll get a better response from your passengers. 

2. Equipment Checks

No matter the forecast, you must conduct a thorough equipment safety check before you leave the dock. This includes inspecting gear, such as flares, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and life jackets.

Water pumps are especially critical during a storm. To stay afloat, you must drain water out of your boat faster than it comes in. I always double- and triple-check my bilge pumps before heading out.

Lights and battery-powered emergency backups are also important pieces of equipment. Ensure your lights work should you lose power. If you have multiple light lenses, inspect them all, including red lenses that protect your night vision.

3. Communication Systems

Pay special attention to your radio and phone before you leave the dock. When caught in severe storm conditions, they’re your lifelines, so ensure they transmit and receive correctly.

While you check your radio equipment, show one or two responsible passengers what you’re doing. Familiarizing additional people with the radio equipment can save everyone if a storm incapacitates you.

Additionally, ensure someone on land knows where you are and how long you plan to be on the water. This is called a float plan, and it ensures someone comes looking for you if you aren’t on time.

Finally, have a map and GPS ready for navigation. If you need help, you need to pinpoint your exact location.

4. Weather Forecasting Tools

Look up the weather before you head out, then check it during your trip. In addition, check the weather forecast through apps or Coast Guard updates on your VHF radio. 

Of course, the easiest way to track the weather is to watch it yourself. Over time (and through study), you’ll learn to spot the signs of worsening weather. For example, I may not know all the clouds’ scientific names, but I recognize which might brew into a storm.

Barometers offer another simple early-warning system for storms. If it drops quickly, look for shelter!

What Should You Do Before a Storm Hits?

If you notice a storm brewing, immediately protect yourself, your passengers, and your vessel. Aside from seeking shelter, you must:

• Secure loose items: Quickly store or secure items such as beach chairs, sunshades, or fishing equipment before they start blowing around. Loose gear can hit and injure passengers and even push them overboard.
• Batten down hatches: Secure all windows, doors, and hatches to protect against flooding.
• Wear personal flotation devices (PFD): Everyone, including yourself, must wear a PFD during a storm.
• Use your marine radio: Make sure your radio is turned on and tuned to Channel 16, the designated distress frequency. On this channel, you can contact the Coast Guard, get help if needed, and help others in distress.

Should You Seek Shelter or Ride Out the Storm?

You need to make many quick decisions if caught in severe weather. The most important decision is whether to seek shelter or ride out the storm.

Several factors influence this decision, such as:

• Your experience: How well-versed are you in storm conditions? A sudden thunderstorm can be overwhelming and dangerous if you’re a fair-weather sailor who only boats when the sun is out, but a captain who weathers storms regularly may be as confident and comfortable in a storm as they are in perfect conditions.
• Weather patterns: Understand the storm’s severity and trajectory. You may easily ride out a mild or short-lived storm, but seeking shelter is often safer in more severe conditions.
• Storm length: A storm can trap you out at sea for hours. If you have a babysitter waiting at home or medication at the dock, it may be best to return sooner rather than later.
• Boat capabilities: Is your boat equipped to handle rough weather? Consider more than its size; is it sturdy and seaworthy enough?
• Proximity to safe harbor: Determine your proximity to a sheltered area. If you can reach a harbor or marina quickly and safely, it’s best to head there rather than face unpredictable conditions at sea. Ensure the harbor is safe before entering. Panicked boaters in densely populated areas might be more dangerous than the open water.
• Sea conditions: Evaluate the current state of the sea. High waves, strong winds, and rough waters impact your ability to navigate safely.

Should You Abandon Ship?

Abandoning your boat is the last resort in a life-threatening situation. Your boat is always a better place to be than the water unless a fire gets out of control. Even then, stay on your boat as long as possible.

But if worse comes to worst, you need to know the proper procedure to leave the boat quickly and safely in a storm. Follow these steps:

1. Launch a life raft: Launch the raft on the side away from the wind and ensure it’s tied to the boat until everyone is safely inside. Once you deploy the raft, stay as close to your boat as possible — it’s easier for rescuers to see a large vessel than a small raft.
2. Call for help: Before leaving, use your radio to send an emergency call with your location. To avoid wasting flares, only use them when you see rescuers.
3. Grab emergency supplies: Take a bag with food, water, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and a handheld radio. All this safety equipment should be in your ditch bag.
4. Keep communicating: Use a handheld radio or an emergency beacon to signal your location.

If you decide to abandon ship, follow these tips to avoid common mistakes:

• Don’t wait too long: Decide quickly to use the life raft when necessary.
• Check your gear: Keep your gear in an easy-to-reach place and verify that your safety equipment works before boating.
• Know your stuff: Ensure you and your crew know how to use the safety equipment and emergency signals.

How Does the Coast Guard Help?

Many people unknowingly put themselves at risk, but the Coast Guard acts as their insurance policy. Beyond immediate emergencies, the Coast Guard plays a key role in keeping boaters safe before, during, and after storms. 

Before a Storm

The Coast Guard regulates boaters to ensure they’re prepared for emergencies and effective rescues. They set rules regarding safety equipment and standards, distress calls, and what to do if caught in severe weather conditions.

The Coast Guard also requires that boats have the proper safety gear on board, including life jackets, signaling devices, and communication equipment. These are minimum requirements. I always encourage students to purchase extra or premium safety gear. 

During a Storm

During an emergency, the Coast Guard will come to your aid. Follow these procedures when you need help:

• Follow proper procedures and make a clear distress call using Channel 16 on your VHF radio. State “MAYDAY,” your location, and the nature of the emergency.
• Use standardized distress signals, such as MAYDAY calls, flares, SOS messages, or emergency beacons, to ensure a quick response.
• Activate your EPIRB to send an automatic location signal to rescue services.
• Keep communicating your status and follow any instructions the Coast Guard provides.

After a Storm

After a rescue, boaters must report incidents to the Coast Guard or other authorities. This information includes accidents, injuries, deaths, or significant boat damage.

Accurate reporting creates helpful safety statistics, leading to changes in regulations that prevent future incidents.

Stay Safe in All Conditions

Knowing what to do if caught in severe weather conditions is crucial for you and your passengers. If you want to learn more about staying safe in all conditions, pursue a captain’s course with Mariners Learning System.