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Maryland weather is unpredictable, especially during the summer months. Thunderstorms are capable of posing a serious hazard to mariners out on the water as well as at the dock.
Thunderstorms develop quickly and create threatening wind and wave conditions. Among the dangers are shifting gusts, sharp lightning, torrential downpours and on rare occasions waterspouts.
A lightning strike to a vessel can be catastrophic, especially if it results in a fire or loss of electronics. If your boat has a cabin, stay inside and avoid touching metal or electrical devices. If your boat does not have a cabin, stay as low as possible to the deck.
Ultimately, boating safety begins ashore with planning and training. Boaters should use extra caution when thunderstorm conditions exist, and ready a plan of escape if needed. It is strongly recommended that mariners not venture out if thunderstorms are a possibility in the day's forecast. If you are out and notice thunderstorms nearby, head to port or safe shelter as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that thunderstorms are typically brief, so waiting it out is often better than riding one out.
We ask our slipholders, transient boaters and guests to take extra precaution with regard to local weather conditions. For more information on thunderstorm safety, visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov and the National Safe Boating Council at safeboatingcouncil.org, or peruse a thorough article on the subject from the editors at Boating Magazine.
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