Coast Guard urges boaters and beachgoers to exercise caution this Labor Day weekend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Adverse weather is predicted into Labor Day weekend and the Coast Guard is urging the boating public and beachgoers to monitor coastal and offshore weather conditions before deciding to go out to sea.

Tropical storms and hurricanes offshore are causing dangerous surf conditions and increasing the probability of rip currents along the Atlantic Coast.

Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore that typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves.

The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents and always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards. The Coast Guard recommends swimmers and surfers avoid beaches where lifeguards are not on duty.

The Coast Guard also asks the boating public to monitor weather broadcasts and be aware of current storm advisories. The National Weather Service broadcasts marine weather forecasts regularly on Channels 1 through 5 on a VHF marine radio. Forecasts can also be checked by visiting the NWS website at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/.

Boaters are reminded to always wear their life jackets, file a float plan with a friend or family member, and are highly encouraged to have a working VHF radio and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) aboard. An example of a float plan can be found at http://www.floatplancentral.org/.

To monitor present conditions of local beaches, please click here: http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/forecasts.shtml

Additional information on safe and secure boating practices can be found at the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety page at http://www.uscgboating.org/.

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