Start with:
South Marine Text Forecasts by Zone
0-1 ft seas, tell the boss you have to leave work now.
1-2 ft seas, you can feel the constant rocking, but still very nice conditions
2-3 ft seas, you know you are on the ocean.
2-4 ft seas, This is the norm for inshore (you will get used to it)
3-5 ft seas, getting rough.
4-6 ft seas, probably called at the dock unless all experienced divers
6-8 ft seas, been there, forget it. Had the good sense to stay on the boat.
Oh yes, the forecast is just that.
I use a patch whenever I'm on the water, the Atlantic can turn on you in the course of a few hours.
By the way, WELCOME to the board. Let us know how it went...