5.22.12 Safe Boating Week - FOX44 - Burlington / Plattsburgh News, Weather & Sports

5.22.12 Safe Boating Week

I love these National ___________ Weeks and International ____________ Weeks.

That's because it's always a great time to catch up on the latest information regarding these topics. It's a good time for us to be cautious about things as well. For instance we'll fill in today's blank spot with "Safe Boating."

From May 19th to the 25th (Saturday to Friday this week) it's National Safe Boating Week. It's promoted through the National Weather Service and NOAA.  The motto of this week...."It's all up to you." So I'll leave it in your hands to take safety seriously, though I can educate the best I can via the blog :)

I've seen more and more boats pile into Malletts Bay in Colchester, Vermont recently. I've also seen more and more people brave the run into Lake Champlain as water temperatures have been on the up and up. In fact, Lake Champlain's water temperature at the King Street Ferry Dock in downtown Burlington has risen from 47° last week to 57° this week! So this is a great time to dive into the details of this safe boating week, for those who use Lake Champlain and also the other beautiful bodies of water in our area.

Possible hazards when you're out on the water:

1. The water itself
2. The weather
3. The other people

Many of the accidents on the open water are due to human error or poor judgement, so please take it upon yourself to make the right decisions! This includes awareness of drinking while boating and incoming weather.

Please be aware of the following hazards in terms of weather:

1. Lightning and thunderstorms - These can roll in very quickly and produce extremely strong winds in the open water
2. Poor visibility - From fog, haze, or heavy rain.
   
3. Floating debris - Especially close to the mouths of rivers, also Lake Champlain still has debris in it from last year's flooding
4. Water temperature - This is especially important in the spring when water temperatures are slow to rise, while air temperatures can easily bump into the 80s.
   

When you're about to head out.........

1. Plan ahead - Try to avoid going alone, but if you do tell someone when you plan to go out and come back in.
2. Monitor the forecasts - We try to give you the best weather updates we can at our studio, but also the National Weather Service does even more.
   
3. Have a NOAA weather radio with you. These are INVALUABLE! The Nat'l Weather Service in Burlington broadcasts on the following frequencies 24 hours a day: 162.400 mHz, 162.425 mHz, 162.475 mHz, 162.500 mHz, and 162.525 mHz.
4. Finally - Life preservers! Have them on standby or even on when you're out. Unfortunately you don't know what accident could happen. But try your best to prevent them in the first place.

-Meteorologist Steve Glazier