What should you do during storms or periods of high winds?

During storms or periods of high winds, staying off the water is the safest choice. Severe weather conditions can create hazardous boating environments with strong waves, low visibility, and unpredictable wind patterns, all of which can lead to dangerous situations for boaters. When faced with potential storms, it's essential to prioritize safety by avoiding being on the water altogether.

While wearing a personal flotation device and checking navigation lights are both important safety measures when boating, they are not proactive steps to address the immediate dangers posed by storms. Maintaining control of a boat in rough weather is exceedingly difficult, and attempting to stay out on the water could put both the boater and any passengers at significant risk.