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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
802 AM EDT Mon May 20 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe
Boating Council has declared May 18 through May 24 2024 National
Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating practices across the
Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today`s topic is safe navigation in dense fog. Don`t be caught in a
fog, especially on the water. Fog can create very low visibility,
making safe navigation difficult for boaters. Fog is formed when the
atmosphere becomes saturated near the surface, essentially creating
a cloud at the surface. Fog is common on the Great Lakes during the
spring and early summer when water temperatures are still cold. Warm
air masses from adjoining land areas flow over the lake and are
cooled to saturation by the cold lake water, forming a layer of
marine fog over the lake. Fog is common on smaller inland lakes and
rivers during late summer and fall, when cooler nighttime
temperatures interact with the still warm water, resulting in
saturated air and fog.

If your boat is shrouded in fog, reduce your speed and ensure
everyone on board is wearing a life jacket. Display navigation
lights and sound warning signals for limited visibility following
navigation safety rules. You can anchor in a safe location and wait
until visibility improves. You can also recruit your passengers to
act as lookouts to watch and listen for signals or sounds from other
vessels, or the sound of breaking waves.

Remember that safe boating is no accident. Consider staying in port
when dense fog is occuring or forecast. Check the latest forecast
before heading out on the water, and be aware of the conditions that
are favorable for fog development.

For more information about boating safety visit
weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week and safeboatingcampaign.com

$$