From The Boathouse: Floods, drought and rip currents

Ahoy!

We are now officially in the middle of the boating season, even though we boat year-round in Southern California’s coastal waters. Although, I have to admit, I find the off-season months to actually be the best to go boating, especially with less traffic on the water.

While we are suffering through a drought, West Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana is experiencing extensive flooding.

News outlets are reporting that at least 40,000 homes have been impacted with over 30,000 people rescued and 11 dead. It appears that half of the state will be affected by the water. The very heavy rainfall has caused rivers to swell above the levees and flow into the low lying areas.

The flooding affects the summertime businesses that are an important economic asset to the area. This includes boating, fishing and other industries related to tourism. As such, the economic impacts of the flooding will be felt long after the waters have receded and businesses can rebuild.

The National Marine Manufacturers Assn. and Discover Boating is listing Louisiana in the top 10 destinations for on-the-water getaways and economic benefits from boating.

However, boating in Southern California is being affected as well — but from a lack of water. Some inland waterways and lakes are still experiencing low water levels, but the ocean’s level has not dropped. I mention the sea level because it has actually been rising over the decades. I do have landlubbers and Sunday sailors ask me if the drought conditions have lowered the water level in Newport Harbor. Makes one wonder.

The National Weather Service has released a warning for south facing beaches this weekend. A south swell with long intervals is coming up the coast, and it is common for south swells to increase the height of the surf and create rip currents that suck unsuspecting or inexperienced swimmers out to sea.

The south swell creates different conditions for boaters venturing outside Newport Harbor and into the Pacific. Long interval swells are typically good conditions for boating as you are not falling into to a tough created by short interval swells. I look for longer interval swells when skippering a yacht around Point Conception to our north.

The weather will be favorable for boating with the marine layer and patchy fog near the coast clearing by the afternoon. The dense fog warnings should end on Thursday, and the high pressure system is set to weaken over the weekend.Friday through Sunday.

The variable morning winds less of than 5 knots will increase to only 10 knots in the afternoon, and as such, the wind waves will be only 1 to 2 feet. Those planning to hoist a sail should wait until the afternoons this weekend unless you have an auxiliary engine to get a head start.

Sea conditions will be mixed swells for boating with a 2-foot, decreasing to a 1-foot, westerly swell and a 3-foot south swell that will create a slight washing machine effect on the water. The outer waters will be small with the west swell increasing a foot.

Offshore buoys are reporting temperatures in the low 70 degrees, which is perfect for fishing.

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Tip of the Week

Did you know that since the late 1990s, the voice you hear over the marine band radio announcing the weather report is not a real person but an automated system?

Now, the National Weather Service has three automated voices in two languages: “Donna” and “Tom” announcing in English and “Javier” in Spanish. Before the switch, the messages were recorded and updated manually by staff members.

Please be boat smartly and safely. Lastly, please boat responsibly and look behind you before you turn the wheel at the helm as there might be a vessel behind you.

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MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to boathousetv.com.