Yachting in fog

The fate of not only the yacht, but the crew as a whole, depends on the actions of the yachtsman at the helm of the vessel, but also the life of the rented yacht passengers. In conditions of reduced visual range, navigation at sea becomes much more difficult.

Mist is formed as a result of natural accumulation of moisture in the air, in the process of natural evaporation of water, followed by condensation at low temperatures. Usually fog is in the lowest layers of the atmosphere, directly at the surface of the earth or body of water. Fog in the sea, accordingly, is formed in the process of cooling warm moist humid air currents with cold water. Such an atmospheric phenomenon can cover vast areas of the water area, and has the ability to persist even in strong winds. International standards, atmospheric phenomena in which visibility is less than a nautical mile, is considered fog if visibility is limited, but more than a mile is haze. Existing marine and radiation fogs have become common varieties.

If sea fog forms directly above the surface of the water, then radiation fog forms over land. The earth's surface cools down at night, in contrast to water, faster. In completely calm or light wind conditions, the warm and humid air over the land surface cools down to the dew point, forming a thick and humid radiation fog. Since the sea surface is located below ground level, the radiation fog gradually slides towards the sea.

The universal international agreement on the rules of navigation in conditions of limited visibility (COLREGs), due to fog or haze, contains the basic conditions of yachting in such situations:

• when visibility is limited, each vessel must navigate at a safe speed applicable to the situation and conditions. If mechanical motors are present, they must be ready for immediate maneuver;
• the fulfillment of the first rule obliges each vessel to adjust its movement to the conditions prevailing at the time of navigation;
• if the radar detects the presence of another vessel, it is necessary to assess the degree of approach and establish the probability of a collision. If such a situation is real, it is necessary to change course for the divergence. At the same time, if circumstances permit, the vessel in front of the traverse should be bypassed on the right;
• in case there is no danger of collision, but a fog signal from another vessel is heard along the beam, it is necessary to take precautions. In this case, you should reduce the stroke to the minimum, and move with utmost caution until the possibility of a collision is completely eliminated.

Specialists 2yachts note that yachting in a situation of limited visibility requires increased caution and well-coordinated work of the entire crew.