Canadian Boating June 2024 - 41

Weather & Navigation Apps Help Boaters
Stay Safe Helping Recognizing Weather
Extremes
- by Joanne Culley
Knowing the weather forecast and how to navigate are
two important skills that boaters need to have, and that
can make the difference between an enjoyable or a
dangerous experience on the water. Fortunately, these
days there are several apps boaters can use to help them
stay safe.
" There are many easy-to-use apps people can refer to on
their mobile devices for the latest weather information, "
says Leigh Mellow, Website and Social Media Officer
for the CanBoat Peterborough. " The Weather Network
is probably the most popular site, with a TV channel,
website and app, where you can get the forecast, as well
as rain and weather alerts. " There are marine forecasts
on your VHF radios as well, and remember, you need the
Restricted Operator's Certificate to operate a VHF radio,
and CanBoat / NautiSavoir is the premiere organization
to offer, test and declare your certificate valid.
Mellow says that other apps such as MyRadar, Weather
Radar, Windy and Yahoo Weather can also give you the
latest weather information in your current location. And
no matter what the weather is like, you always need to
know where you are and where you're going. Mellow says
there are navigational apps that can help you with that.
" The Aqua Map app is a good place to start to get detailed
charts. And it is a Member Benefit for members. Aqua
Map is a navigational application that provides the user
with clear nautical charts, realistic symbols and colours.
Aqua Map functionalities are simple and intuitive.
Members will receive a 25% discount when they download
the app of the navigational waters of their preference. To
get your 25% discount when placing your online order
please enter the discount codes listed in the member's
site (log-in required).
The Safe Boating Guide, which can be downloaded at
CanBoat.ca, details the positions of buoys and other
markers that help boaters navigate along lakes and rivers.
It's important for boaters to be able to read charts, and to
that end, every fall CanBoat Peterborough offers a course,
usually held at a Peterborough high school, to teach the
basics of navigating on the water.
With the extremes of weather we've been experiencing
in the last few years, Mellow stresses the importance
of caution before setting out on the water. " That old
expression, 'if it's going to blow, don't go,' still holds
true, " he says. " Learn to read clouds, as they can often
foreshadow a microburst or localized storm. Severe
weather events, such as flash flooding, are becoming
more common. Always err on the side of caution. "
CanBoat Peterborough has been offering basic and
advanced boating instruction in the Kawarthas and
Peterborough County since 1959. Once again, this year,
the Peterborough branch will be offering their Maritime
Radio course that provides training on emergency radio
procedures along with everyday operating techniques. To
enroll in this or any other courses across Canada, please
go to CanBoat.ca ■
CANADIANBOATING.CA
41
http://www.CanBoat.ca http://www.CanBoat.ca http://www.CANADIANBOATING.CA
Canadian Boating June 2024

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