May is often the time when mariners get out onto the open seas again, especially if April proved too poor or cold. However, there are a number of things to think about weatherwise when you do so. Whilst a calm wind and sea makes for an enjoyable experience a fresh breeze and light chop offer something a little more challenging though potentially more rewarding. In the late Spring the weather can soon change to something more dramatic, and if you're unprepared, potentially dangerous.  Black clouds, gusty winds, heavy downpours and even thunder and lightning can cause a lot of problems for the owner of a small craft... and its crew. 

The main thing is to keep up to date by using the latest marine forecasts. Pay attention to the TV forecasts and listen in particular to the more detailed marine weather forecasts available, taking note of any small craft advisories or wind warnings issued. Such
Advisories and Warnings alert mariners to the expectation of high wind and waves forecast to occur up to at least 48-72 hours away. 

The BBC has some fairly detailed information about expected weather on its website here http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/
and gives three forecasts for mariners on it which are updated regularly as well as offshore buoy and coastal observations from around the UK.

The Inshore waters forecasts extends out to 12 miles and the Shipping Forecasts for the sea areas right around UK sea areas. The detailed Inshore Waters forecast covers 17 areas around the coast twice a day, issued at 0500 & 1700 and is a 
24 hour forecast, followed by an outlook for the following 24 hours. A general three day outlook is also available. It is broadcast on Radio 4 at approximately 0526 (local time) as well. A shorter version is broadcast after the main shipping forecast at approximately 0053 (local time) on R4. The coastal forecast issued at the same times offers more detailed weather for this 12 mile area giving 6 hour segments covering the pressure, temp max/min, wind speed and direction, max gust in knots, sea state, visibility and expected significant weather. The data is sourced from the Met Office's detailed latest model forecasts and so is generally very accurate.

This is updated with the issue of strong wind warnings. These are not broadcast on Radio 4 but via local radio and Coastguard stations. These can be picked up using NAVTEX, a component of the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress Safety System). The main characteristics of NAVTEX for this purpose are that stations broadcast in English, in 10 minute slots in succession using a common frequency of 518 kHz. You can purchase equipment that will pick up the nearest station and print it out for you, or indeed just listen to it. A secondary NAVTEX frequency- 490 kHz -is used to broadcast Inshore Waters Forecasts plus a three day outlook. For more information on these broadcasts see http://www.franksingleton.clara.net/navtex_2.html

Nowadays, it is possible to receive a wealth of more substantial met data using receivers to pick up satellite imagery as well as other useful data. Several suppliers such as Dart Com serve this market but will probably be out of the price range of most mariners with smaller vessels. For those interested in exploring the options available in this marketplace however, the following site has some useful links http://www.boatlinks.com/link.asp?ObjectID=4709

Wherever you end up this spring and summer I hope you have a good time, supplied with the most up to date forecasts. Of course, if you know your met well enough then youll be able to supplement the forecast with information on the hoof , interpreting changes to the weather as you go along & I will cover some of the knowledge needed for this next time.