Boating Safety in Fog

With foggy conditions comes plenty of visibility issues. Not only is driving in fog difficult, but operating a boat in fog can be a challenge as well. Fog can set up quickly, which can catch captains and other marine vessel operators off guard if they were already out in ideal conditions.

Fog can cause visibility on the water to be reduced to a mere few feet, causing even the most experienced boaters some difficulties. Unlike other modes of transportation, navigating a boat typically needs a larger field of visibility due to the amount of time it takes to stop or turn one.

International guidelines for visibility are:

• Very Poor: Less than 0.5 nautical miles
• Poor: 0.5 to less than 2 nautical miles
• Moderate: 2 to 5 nautical miles
• Good: Greater than 5 nautical miles.

If you find yourself out on the waters with fog setting up, begin slowing down your vessel to avoid collisions with other boats. Then, turn on all your running lights and listen for sounds of other boats near you, fog horns or bells from buoys. In turn, stay alert and produce your own sounds so other vessels know where you are. Also continue to stay alert about current conditions with a weather radio. If your boat happens to have radar as well, that can help locate any dangers nearby. Using your GPS will help you pinpoint your location, but if you don’t have one, then a navigation chart and compass can be used as well. If you have neither, it is important to stay put until the fog lifts, just be sure you are in a safe location. Most importantly, stay out of shipping lanes as large ships cannot see small vessels.

Source: NWS
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