Summer Storms

 | By Seamus on 1/7/2017 10:11:20 PM | Views (915)

Preparing for Severe Weather

Severe weather season in Queensland is from November to April. In Queensland, severe weather includes tropical cyclones, severe storms and flooding.
Boat operators need to make all possible preparations for severe weather. Boat owners are responsible for maintaining their boat and property to survive severe weather.
PLAN AHEAD BEFORE GOING OUT ON THE WATER.
Always check marine weather forecasts before you go boating. Keep checking them while you are on the water.
Maritime Safety Queensland's maritime weather service gives weather information from the Bureau of Meteorology at the cost of a local telephone call.
(Higher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones. If calling outside of Queensland, STD rates will apply. Check with your provider for call costs.)
Forecast telephone numbers
* All of Queensland – 1300 360 426
* Marine warnings – 1300 360 427
* South east Queensland – 1300 360 428
Weather information is regularly broadcast on VHF radio channel 67 by some volunteer marine organisations. Broadcast schedules vary from station to station. Channel 67 is also monitored by some volunteer organisations who can give individual forecasts on request.
Marine forecasts are accurate when predicting major weather events, such as cyclones, but are sometimes less accurate when predicting local severe weather, such as strong winds in storms. Be prepared for sudden unexpected weather changes.
What to do if out on a boat during severe weather?
Personal safety is the number one priority at all times. Use common sense if you are stuck in severe weather.
At the first sign of bad or severe weather while you are on the water, make sure everyone on board is wearing a personal flotation device or life jacket.
If you cannot get back to your normal mooring or boat ramp, look for shelter in rivers or creeks with a mangrove fringe to act as a buffer zone from the wind. 
Remember that heavy rain will increase the flow of ebb tides in any creeks or rivers.
If you are in a marina or hardstand area, ask the manager for instructions.
What to do during severe weather season?
PLAN
* Get a copy of the Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan for your area and read it.
* Explore your suggested shelter area or inlet before cyclone season starts.
* Update your contact details with the authorities.
* Organise options to move your boat if you will be away during severe weather season.
* Keep a record of emergency telephone numbers handy (for example, regional harbour master, volunteer marine rescue organisations, Queensland Police Service).
PREPARE
* Know when and where your vessel needs to be during an evacuation.
* Have plenty of line to secure your boat (rope has more ‘give’ than chain).
* Secure loose articles below deck.
* Secure all hatches.
* Check your boat is watertight.
* Reduce wind loading and remove furled sails and covers, bimini tops and any clears.
Obey
* Obey and follow all directions issued by the regional harbour master or others as delegated.
* Do not leave your cyclone mooring until the regional harbour master has given the all clear.
Prepare, plan and obey these simple rules and you could prevent damage to your boat and others.
A penalty up to $15,000 is applicable for not following the directions of a harbour master.
More information about preparing for severe weather is available from your closest Maritime Safety Queensland regional office.
More information about cyclones is on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Preparing-for-severe-weather Read More

Catch Information

Species:
Sailfish

This Fishing Report was submitted on 1/7/2017 10:11:20 PM by Seamus and last updated on 1/7/2017 10:11:20 PM.

Location

570 Royal Esplanade
Manly, QLD AU

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