Sailing in the fog

Sailing in the fog can be quite dangerous and scary. In autumn, as well as in spring, when the difference in temperature between air and water is great, fog often occurs on the water. Fog on the water makes boating complicated and a lot riskier. This is because you can see a lot less. Accidents happen every year in the fog, both in recreational and well-equipped commercial shipping.

What is fog?

Fog is reduced visibility due to tiny drops of water in the air. In the Netherlands, we speak of fog when visibility is less than 1,000 meters. Fog can form quite easily on water when the air above the surface of the water is relatively cold. Boating in fog can be quite dangerous and scary, because visibility is thus poor. As a result, accidents can happen faster.

What are the rules when boating in fog?

Sailing in fog (that is, at less than 1,000 meters of visibility) is not permitted unless the vessel and crew meet a number of requirements. These requirements are virtually impossible for pleasure craft to meet. In fact, sailing in fog is therefore prohibited for pleasure craft. Want to leave port and it's foggy? Then postpone your trip. Are you already on the water and you encounter fog? Then it is wise to find a safe place to wait out the fog. Go to the nearest port, or anchor in a safe place outside the channel.

To legally sail in fog, the vessel must be equipped with an approved inland radar, VHF radio and a turn indicator. In addition, the skipper must have a radar license and a second person must be on board who can operate the radar. Thus, the presence of "yacht radar" is not sufficient to sail in fog.

How to sail safely in the fog?

If you are beset by fog, there are a number of things to consider while boating. We therefore recommend the following:

• Reduce speed to safe speed
• Keep as much starboard shore as possible
• Keep the VHF radio ready if it is on board
• Give the prescribed fog signals
• Use AIS to stay away from commercial shipping
• Find a safe place to wait out the fog

Fog and AIS

Although AIS can be a useful tool, especially in low visibility or fog, it is not radar. Within the pleasure boating industry there is sometimes a misconception that AIS is a radar, but this is not the case. A radar is a system that transmits signals itself and listens to a reflected signal. Based on this, an image is drawn. This is a self-contained system, which is not dependent on broadcast signals from other shipping. An AIS receiver receives signals from AIS transmitters. A ship without an AIS transmitter is not displayed on an AIS screen.

Breakdown on the water?

Have you had an unexpected breakdown on the water or an accident? The boat watch of Vaarzeker is ready to help you. Do you go boating regularly? Then take a look at our breakdown service package. So you can get out on the water without any worries.