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the tow line to the deck cleats. They are not
designed to take the full load of the yacht
under pressure.
Silverton recommends using a commer-
cial towing service for your safety and
to decrease the potential for additional
damage to your yacht as a result of re-
moving it from the underwater obstruc-
tion.
NEVER attach a tow line
to a deck cleat or anchor windlass. The
cleat or windlass may pull free from the
deck and cause serious personal injury
or property damage.
Hazardous
Weather Conditions Storms
Storms rarely appear without some advance
warning. Check the local weather forecast
before you leave port, but be aware that
weather conditions can change rapidly. If
you have a VHF radio, listen to the continu-
ous weather reports issued by the National
Weather Service. If you have a portable
radio, keep it tuned to a station that broad-
casts frequent weather reports. If you are
tuned to an AM frequency, listen for static;
it often means an electrical storm is ap-
proaching. Many boating clubs fl y weather
signals in the form of fl ags or lights. Learn
to recognize these signals.
Your surroundings can also be a good
indicator of changing weather conditions.
Watch for changes in wind direction or cloud
formations. There is no substitute for a good
understanding of typical weather conditions
and what to do when it takes a turn for the
worse.
Fog
Fog is the result of either cold air passing
over a warm earth surface or warm air pass-
ing over a cold earth surface. You can judge
the likelihood of fog formation by periodically
measuring the air temperature and the Dew
Point temperature (temperature at which
moisture in the air will develop), which is
given during a normal weather forecast.
If the difference between these two tem-
peratures is small, fog is likely to develop.
Always remember the following guidelines
if you encounter fog conditions:
• Unless your yacht is well equipped with
charts, head for shore at the fi rst sign of
fog and wait until conditions improve before
continuing your cruise. If you have charts on
board, take your present location bearings
as the fog sets in, mark your position and
continue to log your course and speed.
• REDUCE YOUR SPEED.
• Be certain all persons on board are wear-
ing their PFD.
• Station a person forward as a lookout.
• Sound your horn or fog bell at the ap-
propriate intervals to warn other vessels of
your presence. Refer to the “Rules of the
Road” for information concerning the proper
duration and interval of the fog signal.
• Listen for fog signals from other vessels
and be aware of their presence. If possible,
determine their proximity to your yacht, but
remember, sound carries a long distance
over water and can be deceiving.
• If there is any doubt concerning the safety
of continuing your excursion, anchor your
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