Boaters Beware: Florida Weather Can Turn on a Dime

Just because the kids are back in school doesn’t mean summer is over just yet.

This is especially so in regard to Florida’s weather, which tends to turn “from sunny to stormy in a flash,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission noted on its Facebook page. “In Florida, sunny summer days can turn stormy almost as quick as lighting. Boaters need to be prepared.”

To stay safe on Tampa Bay area waters and around the state, FWC urges boaters to keep an eye on the sky and to pay heed to weather forecasts and the conditions around them.

“Pay attention to the weather, like cloud formations (development of anvil-topped thunderheads), increasing winds and dropping temperatures,” the agency warned. “Wear your life jacket.”

Boaters are also urged to file float plans before setting out on the water. If that’s not possible, simply telling someone the intended plans and an anticipated return time will suffice. That way, if a return doesn’t occur, the person can notify authorities.

See Also:

• Florida Waterspouts: What You Need to Know

That said, “be sure to let that person know when you are safely home so they don’t launch a needless search,” the agency added.

Boat operators born after Jan. 1, 1988, are required to take a safety course. All boaters, however, are urged to keep required safety equipment on board their vessels and to conduct regular boat inspections for signs of wear and tear.

FWC’s warning comes with Atlantic Hurricane Season 2015 well under way. It also comes just a few days after St. Petersburg Police officers snapped photos of a monster waterspout in that area. The spout formed in Tampa Bay on Sunday, the agency reported on Facebook. A marine patrol officer witnessed its trek across the water. No one was injured, the agency noted.

To learn more about boating safety, visit FWC online.

Photos from the St. Petersburg Police Department Facebook page