• Make sure everyone aboard is wearing a life jacket.
• Secure all loose gear, hatches or ports
• Determine your location and the best course back to shelter.
• Keep a sharp lookout for other boats and obstructions.

• Try to take the first (and heaviest gusts of wind on the boat, not abeam. Heading into the wind is the most seaworthy position for most small boats.
• Approach waves at a 45° angle to keep the propeller underwater, to reduce pounding, and to provide a safer and more comfortable ride.
• If there is lightning, unplug radios and all electrical equipment.
• Stay low. don't make yourself the tallest target.
• Keep away from metal objects that aren't grounded to the boat's protection system.

Force 0: Calm. Winds less than 1 mph.

Force 1: Light air. Winds 1-3 mph. Ripples on the water's surface.

Force 2: Light breeze, 4-7 mph. Small wavelets developing.

Force 3: Gentle breeze, 8-12 mph. Large wavelets with scattered whitecaps.

Force 4: Moderate breeze, 13-18 mph. Waves 2-3 feet with whitecaps becoming numerous.

Force 5: Fresh breeze, 19-24 mph. Waves 4-7 feet. Sea spray begins.

Force 6: Strong breeze, 25-31 mph. Waves 7-14 feet. White caps everywhere. Spray increasing.

Force 7: Near gale, 32-38 mph. Seas 14-18 feet. Foam begins to blow in streaks.

Force 8: Gale, 39-46 mph. Blinding foam begins blowing in streaks.

Force 9: Strong gale, 47-54 mph. 20 foot waves.

Force 10: Storm. Wind 55-63 mph. Waves 20-30 feet.

Force 11: Violent storm, 64-73 mph. Waves 30-45 feet.

Force 12: Hurricane, 74-82 mph. Air filled with foam. Waves as high as 50 feet.