Should Marine Forecasts Improve?

"Is it time we did something about the shoddy marine forecasts for San Francisco Bay?" asks reader Iain Woolward. "On the afternoon of November 28 — the day of the big blow here on the Bay — the forecast called for 15 knots, dropping to 12 knots. Reality: 44 knots! It’s not as if this surprised folks who know anything about weather systems; the local media and Weather.com correctly predicted the big blow.

"I wouldn’t be complaining but for the fact that my class (Finns) had a regatta that weekend on the Berkeley Circle. One competitor based his decision to sail to Berkeley from Alameda on the benign and completely misleading marine forecast. He didn’t hit the worst of it until north of the Bay Bridge, by which time it was a toss-up whether to sail on or go back. It’s downright dangerous in a singlehanded dinghy in Force 8 winds with nobody else around. Three other Finns set out to the course from Belvedere; one actually made it to Berkeley Marina and two fetched up on Treasure Island for the night.

"I’m curious how many of your readers’ safety has been impaired by negligent marine forecasts?" Send your comments to Richard.