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small craft advisory An advisory issued by the USCG through the NOAA weather radio reports and by means of day and night signals at marinas, harbors and USCG stations to signify present or anticipated sustained conditions of weather or sea state that might be hazardous to small craft (at onetime defined as less than 65 feet long, but no longer officially defined). "Sustained" in this regard implies over a period of 2 hours or more. Such advisories are issued for sustained winds of more than 21 knots — or for hazardous sea conditions even when the wind is less than this. Day and night signals are illustrated in G314. Similar warnings have been established for gale and storm and hurricane conditions. Such a warning system was initiated by Robert FitzRoy in England in the mid 1800s, followed shortly by Buys-Ballot in the Netherlands. "Small craft warning" is the name of a Tennessee Williams play. However.... In Canada there is a "Marine Small Craft Wind Warning," which is a marine warning issued by Environment Canada Atmospheric Environment Branch for winds which are forecasted to be in the 20-33 knot range inclusive.

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