Rough Surf Causes Problems With Boaters And Swimmers

Rough Surf

Scary to see the pictures. I've always had a great respect for the power of the sea, growing up and spending summers along the rugged coast of Maine. You don't fool with the ocean, and it's amazing what it can do!

OCEAN RIDGE, Fla. (CBS12) —For a second day, large swells are rolling in along the coastline. Lifeguards are flying red flags, putting beaches off-limits to swimming. Safety concerns have also prompted managers to close pier structures. CBS12 News meteorologists say the high surf is associated with a strong low-pressure part of the cold front that passed through South Florida this past weekend. The low is now in the northern Atlantic, sending the swells south down the coast. A day earlier the rough surf caused a dive boat captain to go overboard near the Boynton Inlet.

Pictures submitted to CBS12 News showed the vessel heading into a large swells midday Sunday. The photos show the boat leaning, then the captain flying off the top of the vessel where he manned the controls.Eyewitnesses said nearby jet skiers pulled the captain from the water, transporting him to shore. A woman who answered the dive operation’s phone Monday said the captain is fine, although he suffered a minor shoulder injury. Eyewitnesses also said a nearby surfer, who’s also a boat captain, left his board with one of the jet skiers, climbed aboard the dive boat, and took control, bringing the vessel into the inlet to safe harbor.

A high surf advisory and small craft advisory is in effect through Tuesday morning along with a coastal flood advisory and high rip current risk. Seas 7-9 feet are expected. Minor coastal flooding is possible at the time of high tide.


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