Sea Myths and Sayings
By Captain Bob Figular
 Until the development of modern meteorology within the last hundred years or so, people relied on their own observations and experience to make weather predictions. In the past it had been known that certain atmospheric conditions were likely to produce different kinds of weather, this knowledge was often put into easy to remember sayings. This month we are going to explore some of these old time rhymes, sayings and proverbs which at times have been found to be more accurate than the weather “experts” we see on the news.
There are literally hundreds of these sayings in this article you will find the ones that I have found to be the most accurate over the years. So here we go back into years gone by…
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Physical Well-being – Effects of Cold Weather
 Operating in a cold climate presents the challenge of keeping warm while operating a boat. As the temperature drops or clothing becomes wet, more insulation is required to keep the body from losing its heat. Wind affects body temperature. Those parts of the body exposed directly to the wind will lose heat quickly, a condition commonly referred to as “wind chill.” On bare skin, wind will significantly reduce skin temperature, through evaporation, to below the actual air temperature.
The combination of rough seas, cold temperatures, and wet conditions can quickly cause the crew to become less effective. Crew fatigue will occur more quickly when these conditions are present. Many accidents occur when cold induced fatigue sets in because the mind loses attentiveness and physical coordination diminishes. Even a person that is moderately cold and damp will exhibit a decrease in reaction time that is also a symptom of the onset of hypothermia.
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Understanding Marine Weather – Land Breeze
 The opposite of a sea breeze is a land breeze. While sea breezes occur during the day, land breezes occur at night. Despite the difference in times at which the land breezes and sea breezes occur, the reason for the land breeze's formation is the same as the sea breeze, just the role of the ocean and land is reversed.
Land breezes can occur when the land's nighttime temperature is less than the sea surface temperature. They are most common during the fall and winter seasons when water temperatures are still fairly warm and nights are cool. However, unlike the sea breeze, the land breeze is usually weaker.
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The Rules of the Road – Safe Speed and Boat Handling Skills
 The Navigational Rules of the Road (Rule 6) states that you to the need to set a safe speed in all conditions of visibility. This obviously does not mean the same "safe speed" applies in good as well as restricted visibility. The first requirement of this rule is to consider what the state of visibility is because safe speed in any condition must be closely related to the immediate circumstances and conditions at hand. A boat at high speed has a large amount of force. With an untrained operator, this force can be dangerous.
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Safe Boat Operations – Minimum Legal Requirements
 All vessels operating must meet the following minimum Coast Guard requirements:
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): All vessels must have at least one USCG-approved Type I, II, or III PFD for each person onboard. All vessels 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, also must carry at least one USCG-approved Type IV throwable device. Before leaving the dock you should ensure that the PFDs are properly fitted for each family member, and children should wear PFDs whenever they are down on the docks or in the boat. Take your family to the pool or shore at least once a year to practice getting into and floating around in the life preservers, float coats, or survival suits. Replace your PFDs when they are worn and have lost their buoyancy, or when they no longer fit your growing child.
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Safe Boat Operations – Magnetic Compass
 The magnetic compass, even though it has been around for a long time, is still very important for safely navigating a boat. Whether steering a course out of sight of landmarks or in poor visibility, the magnetic compass is the primary tool for guiding the boat to its destination.
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