SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-storm-passengers-stay-low

Caught in a storm, where should passengers sit?

Low, on the floor, near the boat's centerline.

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  1. Low on the floor near the centerline ✔
  2. Up on the bow to watch for waves
  3. All on one side to balance the wind

Why: NASBLA says in a storm, have everyone put on life jackets and foul weather gear, and sit low or on the floor near the centerline. Close hatches, secure loose gear, and slow down but keep enough power to steer.

Huh, didn't know that: Water sloshing in the bilge makes a boat less stable, so remove it in rough seas.

The dad joke
Why did the captain tell everyone to sit on the floor? It was time to get down to business.
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References

Answer: Low on the floor near the centerline. NASBLA says in a storm, have everyone put on life jackets and foul weather gear, and sit low or on the floor near the centerline. Close hatches, secure loose gear, and slow down but keep enough power to steer.

  1. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022 Basic Boating Knowledge, Core Plus Power higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
    Direct passengers to stay low or sit on the floor, close to the boat's centerline.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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