Weather

If a forecast warning has been issued, ensure you monitor the weather, watch and listen to your surrounds for any changes and know when it’s best to come back to shore. 

No matter the size of the waves, they can be dangerous if they catch you off guard.

3 – 4 times a day a wave will be twice the size of the forecasted height (about one in every 2000–3000 waves). It’s important you know the expected wave heights and be prepared for double the size.

If the seas and swell forecast is  2m you can get a 4m wave, can your vessel manage with a wave twice the forecasted height? 

Use the handy reference guide to compare your boat size against the wave forecast.

Wind can change over the course of your trip so it’s important you’re familiar with the forecasts before your leave shore. Weather forecasts include wind speed and direction and will help you determine if your vessel should be on the water, especially since wind gusts can be up to 40% stronger than the forecast wind speed.

Wind speed (measured in knots) is your main guideline for whether your vessel size should be out in unprotected waters. A wind forecast of 15 knots can experience gusts of 20 knots, Wind speed at 20 knots can gust to 28 knots which is called strong wind and will often result in a strong wind warning issued by BOM.

Winds generate waves, and the direction of those waves will also determine your safest passage to and from shore. 

Changing tides can create dangerous conditions as it affects waves, currents, and water levels.

Knowing when high and low tide will occur is important for boats crossing river entrances, sandbars and reefs.

An outgoing tide, or low tide, can cause waves to become steeper. Your boat could become difficult to handle, tip over, or be swept onto rocks or reefs.

The changing tide over the day can cover rock platforms or reefs at high tide, whilst exposing them and creating a hazard at low tide. 

Key things to know about tides:

• Water levels rise quickest around mid-tide.
• Rising tide brings surging waves.
• Tide times change from each day and in different locations.
• The weather can change the predicted tide levels.
• When the tide and wind direction are in opposite directions, waves can become steeper and closer together.

The weather can change quickly so watch and listen for signs such as:

• sudden increase in wind speed or change in wind direction
• thunder, lightning or increasing cloud cover on the horizon
• waves and swells increasing in size or the water gets choppy.

If conditions start to change, dangerous weather may be approaching. Decide if you need to take precautions or head back to shore.

Download the Deckee app and use the Boating forecast feature. It will tell you when the conditions are getting dangerous for your location.