Safely navigating an inlet

Navigating an inlet can be tricky and dangerous, so you should know how to safely run an inlet before you encounter one.

Prepare for the approach. Before you make an approach, study the wind and tide, and eyeball the chart. Go out to the sea buoy before shooting the inlet. The buoys’ locations were calculated to assist a direct approach.

Call the pros. If there’s a U.S. Coast Guard unit or commercial tower present, you can call them if you have any concerns about conditions. They will be glad to advise, and their knowledge is free.

Stow your gear. Secure loose gear and lines prior to your approach to prevent them from being washed overboard in rough seas. Don’t deploy fenders until you’re past the inlet in smooth water. Examine your filters and water separators, which should be clean and clear. Inlet turbulence can mix dirt and debris into your fuel.

Be a traffic cop. If visibility is poor or you’re concerned about oncoming traffic, broadcast a “sécurite” call on channels 16 and 13. As you begin your approach, don’t be so focused that you’re not aware of nearby traffic. Look around.

Know the set of wind and current. In cross seas, apply just enough power to overcome the effect of the seas and maintain your course; then, in quarter seas, take them somewhat aft of the bow. While it can appear as if your bow is pointing upwind and up sea from the inlet’s entrance, the boat’s track—your actual course—should be in the center of the channel.

Often, you’ll lose the effect of the quartering wind and seas just as you enter the protected water between the jetties. At that point, be careful not to overshoot. Be prepared to back off the throttles and gently swing onto a direct course.

Assess wave heights. Remember that waves can appear smaller than they really are. Stand off until you can gauge their size. If the seas look particularly boisterous and you’re concerned, check the tide again. An ebb bucking on the onshore breeze will create more of a chop. It could be best to wait for the change of tide when conditions will likely calm down.

Ride the waves. During your approach, throttle back and come in on the backs of the waves, letting them pass under you. If you are aboard a fast, deep-V hull, you can apply enough power to ride the back side in. Don’t allow the boat to top the crest or ride down the swell; that’s an invitation to stuff the bow.

Never relax. Don’t ease your vigilance once you’re between those jetties. That’s your most vulnerable moment. Look out for cowboys coming in and out. If an oncoming vessel appears to be acting inappropriately, try not to change course and speed. That’s your last option and should be taken only when a collision seems imminent. Instead, get on Channel 16 and call the other boat. Then, give the “pan-pan” call on VHF and the danger signal with your horn. –Capt. Stuart Reininger

Previously published in MotorBoating; used with the author’s permission.

For more, watch America’s Boating Channel’s “Inlet Drone Videos” series. The videos show boaters what to expect and what to watch out for when traveling on specific U.S. inlets for the first time.