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Nos Small -craft: The National Weather Service (NWS) issues advisories and warnings for specific weather threats.
NOS small -craft Craft Advisories are issued when winds are expected to reach speeds of up to 33 knots (38 mph) and/or sea conditions are deemed dangerous for NOS small -craft craft in the forecast area. NOS small -craft craft are defined by NWS as "NOS small -craft boats, yachts, tugs, barges with little freeboard, or other low-powered craft."
Gale Warnings are issued when winds are forecast to be between 34 and 47 knots (39 to 54 mph).
Storm Warnings are broadcast for winds greater than 48 knots (55 mph) with no upper limit on speed. A Hurricane Warning is issued only for hurricanes, with winds of 64 knots (75 mph) or more. A Hurricane Watch may be issued as an early alert to the possible arrival of a hurricane in the watch area. The watch will be changed to a Hurricane Warning when the storm is within 24 to 36 hours of arrival in the specified watch area.
The Boat owner who does not have radar can still tap the power of other ships' radar to enhance the safety of his or her vessel. This is done by installing a passive radar reflector—a simple and inexpensive device consisting of thin, lightweight metal sheets arranged in mutually perpendicular planes. The sheets may fold for storage, but must remain rigid with respect to each other when opened for use. This relatively NOS small -craft reflector (each metal surface is only about a square foot in area) provides a radar reflection almost as strong as that from a medium-size steel ship. Without a reflector, the echo from the fiberglass (or wooden) hull of a NOS small -craft craft is so weak as to be easily overlooked among the echoes from the waves.
With a passive reflector hoisted as high as possible, the operator of a NOS small -craft craft can be sure that his Boat will be detected on the radar screens of passing ships. Often Coast Guard or other rescue craft searching for a Boat in distress are radar-equipped; the use of a passive radar reflector greatly increases a NOS small -craft craft's chances of being quickly spotted.
Reconnaissance from the air is provided by airplanes, balloons or dirigibles. Reconnaissance by water is provided by aircraft or by surface craft furnished by naval commands and in some cases by land based aircraft provided either by the Air Force or by the Navy. Naval craft may include mosquito or other NOS small -craft vessels, submarines, submarine chasers, destroyers or light cruisers. Reconnaissance missions are specified by the force commander, must be within the capabilities of the unit to which assigned, and are stated in specific terms as to what information is desired, in general where the information is to be sought, and the time by which the information is required. |
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