Emergency Contact Weather forecasts, safe passage and safe berths Home Latest updates News Weather forecasts, safe passage and safe berths 8 Apr 2020 Download Sign up for alerts Adverse weather increases the associated risks for yachts and their crews, not only in open waters, but also in bays, anchorages, ports and marinas. The key to mitigating damage to yachts and injury to their guests and crews, through weather-related incidents, is advance planning. Mariners can obtain a fairly accurate picture of weather conditions expected in their cruising areas through free national weather forecasting services, and cellular and satellite communications. However, it is important to be aware that conditions in both temperate and tropical zones can change rapidly, meaning that the most recent forecast can quickly become inaccurate. Paid weather services can deliver bespoke forecasting, constant reassessments of developing weather systems, and routing advice based on the yacht’s specific characteristics and performance parameters. The cost of these services can be outweighed by the benefits of potential fuel savings, reduced risk of structural damage to the yacht, and enhanced guest comfort and safety. Adverse weather risk assessment All yacht owners should carry out relevant and regular risk assessments to assist with pre-planning for voyages or harbour stays. Such risk assessments should take into account the aforementioned aspects about weather services and be reflective of the current manning levels of the yacht. Essential considerations are: A scale of likelihood and severity; A brief description of identified risks; and Actions which may mitigate each risk. On voyages, the categories of risk may be mechanical (e.g. failure of a critical system and/or item of equipment); human (e.g. crew endurance, susceptibility to sea-sickness, sea experience and/or familiarity with the vessel); or environmental (e.g. nature of coastline along the route, furthest point of voyage from l