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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1121 AM EDT Mon May 19 2025

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONTINUES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe 
Boating Council has declared May 17 through May 23 2025 National 
Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating practices across the 
Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today's topic is safe navigation in dense fog. Don't be caught in a 
fog, especially on the water. Fog can create very low visibility, 
making safe navigation difficult for boaters. Fog is formed when the 
atmosphere becomes saturated near the surface, essentially creating 
a cloud at the surface. Fog is common on the Great Lakes during the 
spring and early summer when water temperatures are still cold. Warm 
air masses from adjoining land areas flow over the lake and are 
cooled to saturation by the cold lake water, forming a layer of 
marine fog over the lake. Fog is common on smaller inland lakes and 
rivers during late summer and fall, when cooler nighttime 
temperatures interact with the still warm water, resulting in 
saturated air and fog.

If your boat is shrouded in fog, reduce your speed and ensure 
everyone on board is wearing a life jacket. Display navigation 
lights and sound warning signals for limited visibility following 
navigation safety rules. You can anchor in a safe location and wait 
until visibility improves. You can also recruit your passengers to 
act as lookouts to watch and listen for signals or sounds from other 
vessels, or the sound of breaking waves. 

Remember that safe boating is no accident. Consider staying in port 
when dense fog is occuring or forecast. Check the latest forecast 
before heading out on the water, and be aware of the conditions that 
are favorable for fog development.

For more information about boating safety visit 
weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week and safeboatingcampaign.com

$$