Unquestionably, the onset of severe weather while boating often occurs rapidly and without warning. I am a former 200 ton captain and can tell you that I have seen weather conditions deteriorate in short order. However, being prepared by understanding where to seat your passengers ahead of time is critical. For this reason, you need to know where to seat your passengers in severe weather while boating. Avoid injuries and death by properly seating passengers when weather conditions turn for the worse. 

What Types Of Severe Weather Impacts Boating

Without a doubt, the two forms of severe weather include rough seas from stiff winds and thunderstorms. Here is how rough seas and thunderstorms put your passengers at risk while boating. 

Rough Seas

I have been surprised at how quickly oceans and lakes become rough when the winds stiffen. Undoubtedly, the water turns rapidly from calm to rough making it challenging to return back to the dock. 

When encountering rough seas, passengers are exposed to breaking waves as they wash over the bow. Passengers are at risk of being washed out of the vessel and into the body of water. Additionally, a bow heavy watercraft is prone to sinking because massive amounts of sea or lake water flood the boat. 

In addition to breaking waves, the boat rocks violently when conditions deteriorate. The violent rocking motion causes passengers to become tossed about and strike hard objects causing severe injury. 

Thunderstorms

I’ll be the first to admit that I have a fear of encountering lightning while boating. I have been caught in a significant number of thunderstorms and even had the boat struck on multiple occasions. 

It goes without saying that passengers are at risk of having a direct lightning strike or indirect by being in contact with something onboard that was hit by a bolt. Without a doubt, you’ll want to keep your passengers in as safe a position as possible when operating in thunderstorms. 

Importantly, you’ll want to avoid racing home in a storm as you’re less likely to see other boaters heading back to the dock. The low visibility puts you at risk of collision. 

Seating Your Passengers In Severe Weather While Boating

With the onset of foul weather, you’ll want to have at the top of your head where to seat your passengers in severe weather while boating.

To be honest, the average pleasure cruising boat is not fitted with a significant amount of space. Tucking your guests away in a safe spot is challenging, but limiting risk is the primary goal. 

Move Your Passengers To The Center Of The Boat

Without question, with the onset of severe conditions and in particular rough seas, your passengers must be moved to the center of the boat. 

When I refer to the center of the boat, I define this as the area aft of the windshield and forward of the stern. Additionally, keep children and adults on the center line running bow to stern. 

It should be noted that passengers remaining in the bow or on the port or starboard side are at risk of being washed into the water. Large breaking waves quickly lift people up and over the gunnels, which then requires a search and recovery. 

Lastly, ensure that all passengers don life jackets should the boat capsize or if a person is washed overboard. 

Keep The Passengers Low To The Deck

Keeping passengers low to the deck is critical not only for rough sea conditions but also when navigating through thunderstorms. 

In rough seas, passengers kept low to the deck are less likely to stumble and become injured. Injuries occur when waves toss people into solid objects. Additionally, passengers are less likely to become swept out of the boat while remaining low. Comparatively, a passenger clinging to the gunnel is at high risk, particularly when a wave washes over the boat. 

Next, I will move to lightning and the importance of remaining low and central to the boat. Lightning most often strikes the most elevated surfaces, which is why boats are hit regularly on the open water as they are the highest object. 

In addition to a boat being a top target for lightning, the same applies to the highest point of the watercraft. For this reason, keep your passengers seated as low as possible and in the center of the watercraft. In the event lightning strikes the vessel, it is less likely to strike a person directly because they are seated low. The strike will dissipate through the boat. 

Move Your Passengers To A Safe Position

Reduce the risk of injury by requesting your passengers move to a location in the center of the boat with the onset of rough seas or lightning. I have experienced by and sometimes in combination and can tell you first hand that this is the most safe spot. Keep this on the top of your mind so you can react quickly when weather sets in. Lastly, don’t forget to put on life jackets.