Carver 396 Motor Yacht 2003, Owner'S Manual

Page: 17 / 234

5
3808 6/02
S
ECTION
1 B
OATING
S
AFETY
Fog
Fog is a result of either warm-surface or cold-surface
conditions. You can judge the likelihood of fog formation
by periodically measuring the air temperature and dew
point temperature. If the difference between these two
temperatures is small, fog is likely to develop.
Remember the following guidelines:
• Unless your boat is well equipped with charts and
navigational equipment, head for shore at the first
sign of fog and wait until conditions improve. If you
have charts on board, take bearings as fog sets in,
mark your position, and continue to log your course
and speed.
• Make sure all persons onboard put on their per-
sonal flotation devices.
• If your boat has sounding equipment, take sound-
ings regularly and match them with depths shown
on your charts.
• Station a person forward in the boat as a lookout.
• Reduce your speed. From time to time, stop engines
and listen for other fog signals.
• Sound the horn or fog bell intermittently to warn
others.
• If there is any doubt in continuing your excursion,
anchor. Listen for other fog signals while continu-
ing to sound your fog horn or bell.
Storms
At all times, the boat operator should be aware of
present weather conditions and the weather forecast. If
storms are a possibility, keep a watch on the horizon,
especially to the West for approaching storms. Monitor
the weather forecast on a marine channel or local
weather station. It would be best to return to a safe port
if time allows.
Other steps to follow to weather the storm include: