What is a "small craft"?

[bhemi]

I listen to the marine report most mornings driving into work. I'm often confused when I here that Juan de Fuca or the Straight of Georgia has "winds to 15 and a small craft warning" What is a "small craft" and what is the threshold for a warning?

 

[scott craven]

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY: To alert mariners to sustained (more than two hours) weather or sea conditions, either present or forecast, that might be hazardous to small boats. If a mariner notices a Small Craft Advisory pennant displayed he should determine immediately the reason by tuning his radio to the latest marine broadcast. Decision as to the degree of hazard will be left up to the boatman, based on his experience and size and type of boat. There is no legal definition of "small craft". The Small Craft Advisory is an advisory in Coastal Waters and Nearshore forecasts for sustained winds, frequent gusts, or sea/wave conditions, exceeding defined thresholds specific to geographic areas. A Small Craft Advisory may also be issued when sea or lake ice exists that could be hazardous to small boats.

 

[bhemi]

Thanks. I guess they won't define a small craft because it creates liability. 15 knots is nothing to all but the smallest car toppers is my guess.

 

[blueorca]

15 knots doesn't sound too bad ........
unles it's against the tide.......
Does 5 foot standing waves create a hazard?

Small craft warnings should be a warning sign that it also could get worse, too.

 

[Rum Buddies]

I've seen 15 kt winds push against the tide at beechy head and have waves crashing on the windshield - so I'd say there is real danger there.

 

[Time]

I'll echo what has already been said. If "small craft advisory" is up, know the waters you're heading into and the impacts headlands, reefs and tides will have on them. If in doubt, proceed very cautiously. Let it blow down or wait for the tide to turn. The fish will still be there in a few hours or the next day.
I've had the s... scared out of me in my old 24' Trophy by feeling, because it was the weekend, I had to get out there. (Can you envision the chop breaking over the roof due to an outgoing tide and a westerly blowing under Lions Gate Bridge.) And besides, it's usually not very comfortable being bounced around.

 

[Tips Up]

Soon to be officially renamed as Strong Wind Warning because of the confusion caused by what is a small craft.

Per MED Course last weekend.

Tips

 

[D.S.C.]

Marine Emergency Duties?

 

[Last Chance]

That is correct. After I took it, I think it should be titled "Somewhat pointless marine course that barely touches on anything to do with safety, and sort of shows you how to shoot a flare with no safety or navigational instruction whatsoever". But we at least got to hold a hand-held flare!

 

[westcoast advneture]

Do not take small craft warnings lightly! Wind direction, water depth and what the tide is doing affect the water in very different ways. Local knowledge will go a long ways to know how the wind will affect your specific area. As far as a 15 knot wind only affecting cartoppers, well that is a scrary mindset. I worked commercially for a good while and on the beach now with a view of the strait of georgia every day. Things can change quickly out on the water so pay attention to what is heading your way. Yes a 15 knot wind may seem trivial but mother nature could give a rats behind if you think you are tougher than her because she will let you know you are not. Not to rant but having spent most of my life on the water I have had the misfourtune of seeing the results of too much bravado in fatal forms. No bodies don't come out of water in one piece when pulled out after being there a while. One of the most sad accidents I ever saw was a few years ago when a seine boat flipped over at the mouth of the river killing everyone onboard. It was blowing 15 to 20 at sandheads and flat as a pancake at the ferry terminal. Difference of distance maybe 5 miles as the crow flies. Seine boats are definitely larger than a cartopper or even a grady and am pretty sure the crew was more experienced than most of the general public. The boat was towed in upside down to the tugboat basin at deltaport with all dead still inside. Nothing worse than wathching the bodies come out of that one as there were a few little ones on board. Take the time to learn how to decipher a marine forecast properly. Information from fellow boaters is usually willingly passed on. A power squadron course is never a bad place to start. When I took it with my better half I could not believe how good it was and how much I learned. I hold masters papers and still learn every time out. Be safe.