Risk Management: What to Observe
The following is a short list of things you could train yourself to observe before you launch.
- Waves: The most common type of open water waves are surface waves, which are cyclical forces of energy in the surface of the water. Are the direction and amplitude of waves the same or greater than what I have encountered and managed before?
- Rip currents: As waves break, they push water up the beach above sea level. As the water recedes back out towards the ocean, it finds the path of least resistance becoming a current moving away from the beach. Will the rip current adjacent to my area of operation have an impact on my activity. If caught in the rip current, how far does the rip current extend from shore and when can I swim out of it? Never swim again a current. Swim perpendicular to the current until it diminishes, and you can swim to shore.
- Backwash: Occurs when water pushed up the beach by waves is pulled back by the force of gravity, gaining momentum on the steep incline.
- Shore break: Plunging waves that break in shallow water. If I lose power, at what point must I deploy an anchor to stop my vessel from entering the shore break?
- Lateral currents: These currents run parallel to the beach. They are also known as longshore currents.
- Inshore holes: Depressions dug into the sand by wave action.
- Sandbars: Found where a persistent lateral current has cut a channel near the beach. What will the draft be over the sandbar during my hours of operation? Could I run aground at planing speed?
- Beach topography: Berm angles, rock outcroppings, piers, groins, cliffs, underwater coral heads, and other similar obstacles are part of the beach topography. Where are these hazards located?
- Currents: The inflow and outflow of water from and along a shoreline. The currents in the channels between islands can run 5–7 knots. Where will the currents take me if I lose power? Can I call or signal for help and be rescued quickly if adrift? Am I equipped to spend days at sea while awaiting rescue?
- Seaweed, driftwood, nets, etc.: Do I have equipment to remove something fouling my impeller?
- Marine life (sharks, fish, Portuguese Man-O-War, stingrays, etc.): Is it pupping season for sharks? Is the water murky or muddy? Is there a history of shark attacks in this waterway? Am I operating near the outfall of a stream? When should I expect Man-O-War in these waters?
- People: On land, in water, passengers, vessel operators. We are all responsible for each other’s safety. Are the other ocean users aware of my presence and conducting themselves accordingly and predictably?
- Weather: Storms, wind, sun, temperature, and lightning are examples of elements rescuers must constantly deal with. Have I done my homework to check the short-range AND long-range weather reports?
Once you identify potential risks, you should prioritize them and determine how likely they may occur and the impact they will have if they do.
Again, this is a short list, and for some of these factors you’d only encounter them when transiting to your designated riding areas offshore. You probably could think of more that are especially pertinent to you and your unique situation. Perhaps your age is a factor, or you have a pre-existing medical condition. Perhaps you are hearing impaired. All these factors and more could be part of the assessment phase of your individual Ocean Risk Management Plan.
