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Seamanship by Vincent Pica, Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR), U.S

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Seamanship by Vincent Pica, Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR), U.S Seamanship by Vincent Pica, Chief of Staff, First District, Southern Region (D1SR), U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Weather - The Small Craft Advisory - That Means You! With Super Storm Sandy gone but hardly forgot- contiguous land area is home to more than half of its ten, let’s start a weather series. This one will focus on population, action was taken. On June 1, 2007, the US Gale Warning the oft-heard but equally-oft-poorly understood news- Coast Guard re-established the program. From their Gale warnings are issued when winds within 39 - flash that is heard by those that go down to the sea in press release of May 30, 2007, they said, “The re-es- 54 mph (34 - 47 knots) are expected within 24 hours, or ships… The Small Craft Advisory. This column is about tablishment of this program, discontinued by the Na- frequent gusts between 35 knots and 49 knots are ex- that. tional Weather Service in 1989, re-enforces the Coast pected. Gale warnings may precede or accompany a Guard's role as lifesavers and visually communicates hurricane watch. Small Craft Advisory that citizens should take personal responsibility for in- Despite conventional wisdom, the US Coast dividual safety in the face of an approaching storm.” Storm Warnings (wind over water) Guard does not issue Small Craft Advisory warnings. Storm warnings are issued when winds within the They are issued by NOAA’s National Hurricane Cen- range of 55 - 73 mph (48 - 68 knots) are expected within ter. What constitutes the threshold for an advisory? It is The signal flag ( or lights at 24 hours. (relatively) straightforward. Quoting the USCG’s Storm night or in low visibility Center (http://www.uscg.mil/news/stormcenter) weather) that the US Coast Hurricane Watch/Warning The threshold conditions for the Small Craft Ad- Guard flies looks like these. A hurricane warning indicates that hurricane visory are usually 18 knots of wind (less than 18 knots winds of 74 mph (64 knots) and higher, or a combina- in some dangerous waters) or hazardous wave condi- If you see more tion of dangerously high water and rough seas, are ex- tions. than one diamond- pected to impact a specified coastal area. When a It is issued to alert mariners to sustained (more shaped pennant (or hurricane warning is announced, hurricane conditions than two hours) weather or sea conditions, either pres- square one with are considered imminent and may begin immediately, ent or forecast, that might be hazardous to small boats. black centers), or at least within the next 12 to 24 hours. When a warn- In one of those moments that make you scratch head for high ing is announced, it is of utmost importance that pre- your head, on February 15, 1989, the National Weather ground – gales, cautionary measures are taken for protection of life and Service retired its Coastal Warning Display network na- storms and hurri- property. canes are coming! tionwide. For over 100 years, display stations were es- (at night) tablished at yacht clubs, marinas, and Coast Guard What IS a Small Boat? stations to hoist flags, pennants and colored lights to There is no legal definition of what constitutes warn mariners of storms at sea. The display stations What Other Warnings Are There? a “small boat.” With that said, if you parsed through were individually notified by the National Weather Several – all of which mean head in if you are out the COLREGs, you could make a reasonable argu- Service to raise the signals and again to lower them or stay home if you aren’t. ment based on those regulations that a “small boat” when the hazards passed. The National Weather Service is under 60’. So, if there is a Small Boat Advisory paid for the visual signals; however, the display stations Dense Fog Advisory and you’re thinking about making way in your 25’ were operated by other agencies or volunteers. So, A dense fog advisory is issued when widespread Parker, understand that you are likely standing into someone thought it was a good idea not to rely on other fog is expected to reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less danger. agencies and volunteers. The radio and news services over a large area for an extended period of time (more would have to do. than 3 hours). As time passed, this became worrisome to many BTW, if you are interested in being part of USCG parties. When National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- Wind Advisory Forces, email me at [email protected] or go di- ministration's own report, "Population Trends Along the A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds rect to the D1SR Human Resources department, who Coastal United States: 1980-2008," noted that the nar- of 31 to 39 mph or gusts of 46 - 57 mph are expected for are in charge of new members matters, at DSO-HR and row coastal fringe that makes up 17 percent of the US’s 3 hours or longer. we will help you “get in this thing…” .
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