Coast Guard rescues Florida boater amidst rough weather conditions
Rough seas and high winds are expected to impact the entire Florida Peninsula over the weekend. Seas of 12-17 feet and wind gusts to 50 mph are likely Saturday and Sunday, forecasters warned.
Florida to get wind, heavy rain and severe threat from powerful storm
A stormy weekend is in store for Florida that will feature torrential rains of 2-3 inches or more, combined with wind gusts over 40 mph and even a threat of severe weather threat and tornadoes for southern and central Florida Saturday.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A boater in Central Florida is back on dry land after his 39-foot sailboat started taking on water Thursday, forcing the Coast Guard into rescue mode.
A spokesperson for the Coast Guard said they received a notification from the boater about 9:43 p.m. that the vessel was taking on water and in danger of sinking in the Halifax River.
A rescue team quickly arrived and was able to transport the operator into their vessel and back to the mainland.
The team reported weather conditions were rough at the time, with winds about 22 mph and seas of 5-6 feet.
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Image 1 of 2A Coast Guard rescue team rescued a man aboard a sailing vessel, after it began taking on water. (U.S. Coast Guard)
![Coast Guard rescue]()
Image 2 of 2A Coast Guard rescue team rescued a man aboard a sailing vessel, after it began taking on water. (U.S. Coast Guard)
A storm system gathering strength over the Gulf of Mexico is expected to continue to lead to windy conditions and rough seas through the weekend.
Local National Weather Service offices along Florida’s east coast encouraged boaters to stay in port and have issued a plethora of alerts that warn of dangerous conditions.
A Gale Warning is in effect for nearshore and offshore waters where winds are expected to gust to at least 50 mph, and seas could reach in excess of 12 feet.
"Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility," forecasters warned.
(FOX Weather)
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The rescue operation involving the stranded sailboat has not been the only case of boats experiencing the brunt of the weather.
Farther north in Green Cove Springs, Florida, police urgently looked for the owner of a sailboat that was improperly tied up and caused damage to a pier.
Police warned the vessel was in danger of sinking due to the rough conditions in the St. Johns River.
Green Cove Springs Police warned of rough conditions along the St. Johns River.
(Green Cove Springs Police Depart / FOX Weather)
"Marine conditions throughout Northeast Florida will continue to be extremely hazardous throughout the weekend," Cmdr. Nick Barrow, of Coast Guard sector Jacksonville, stated. "All mariners are strongly encouraged to monitor weather forecasts and warnings, and take reasonable safety precautions to protect life and property."
As the center of circulation pulls away from the state Sunday, conditions are expected to slowly improve, with seas and windy conditions settling back to a more normal state in the week before Christmas.