Being lost in the fog is frightening, but there are some things you can do to protect yourself. If you have a GPS or navigation chart with compass readings, use these tools to find your location. If you are not sure about your location or where you are going, it’s best to stop boat navigation until the fog clears up.
Many boat owners install fog horns on their boats to help other boaters locate them. If you have a boat horn, use it to signal your boat’s location to other boaters.
Boat Navigation In Fog – Boating In Fog Safety Tips
Let’s have a look at some navigation rules & tips.
Prevention
When you’re setting sail, it’s important to have all your boat equipment on board. That includes a GPS, compass, horn, and safety gear. But there are other things that will keep you safe too.
Also, listen to the weather forecast before you set out so you can avoid unexpected navigation challenges like being caught in the fog.
Reduce speed
If you’re out on the water in foggy conditions, there are a few things that will help keep your boat safe. First, reduce speed as much as possible and take your boat out of the channel if there is any doubt about where you should be going. If you come across another boat, stay away from it to avoid a collision. Always ensure you are maintaining a safe speed for your boat.
Turn Light on
Boating safety is important, and one of the most common ways to stay safe on the water is by making sure your boat lights are turned on. When you’re out at sea and visibility drops with a foggy horizon, it’s easy for boats to run into each other without realizing they were there. To avoid this from happening, make yourself as visible as possible by turning on your running lights so that others can see where you are.
Navigational equipment
Make sure you have the appropriate navigational equipment for your boat. That includes a GPS, radar, and all of the other gadgets that help you stay on track when traveling in foggy conditions.
We also suggest checking over any safety equipment like life jackets or signal lights. Don’t forget about things like flares and whistles either. If something goes wrong out there, it might be difficult to get back home without these tools at hand.
Anchor your boat
If you want to avoid a collision, it is important that your boat follows safety guidelines. One of the most common mistakes boaters make in low visibility conditions such as fog or rain is not stopping their engines while they are on the water.
If you’re in a FOG and there is high traffic, stop the movement of your vessel. For better visibility to other boats on the water, it may be best to drop anchor and wait for all traffic to pass before continuing on your way. Boating safety depends largely on common sense, use yours.
Know Fog Sound Signals
Navigating in foggy conditions can be tricky. If you’re a powerboat operator, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea provide a set of sound signals to help others understand where your boat is and what it’s doing–whether underway or drifting.
If your ship is drifting, always give two blasts of the horn for a boat underway. When you are at anchor, sound one short – one prolong – one short blast.
- Short blast – 1 second
- Long blast – 4 to 6 seconds
Take care of electronics
So, if you’re a seafaring person and spend lots of time on the water, we recommend equipping your boat with radar. It will give you an edge in foggy situations and provide safety for all aboard. Radar is a great investment for safety and peace of mind when on the water.
You may also consider adding other electronics such as GPS/Chart plotters, VHF radios, AIS receivers, etc., depending on how much navigation assistance you want from your vessel. The point being – don’t forget about the power of electricity.
Post a lookout
Safety is important for everyone on board, but it becomes even more crucial when there’s a fog. This means that the crew has to be extra vigilant and focused at all times if they want to avoid accidents. The best way to ensure this happens? Assign different areas of your boat (fore, aft, port, and starboard) so you can maintain a lookout at all times with the help of your crew members.
VHF Radio
Navigating in the fog is a challenging problem for any boater, but it becomes especially dangerous when you have to rely on your own eyesight. There are some steps you can take in order to make foggy conditions easier and safer for yourself or your crew. One of the most important things you should do is carry a VHF radio with you at all times.
The Radio station will warn about areas where there may be a danger that’s not visible from the outside, such as rocks or other boats in close proximity to yours. Never forget to switch on your VHF radio.
