Atlantic Beach N.C. Waterspouts 8/10/08

[Fishfinder]

As I was headed to work this morning a line of clouds stretched out over Bogue sound and Beufort Inlet. It was spawing numerous waterspouts and I got a few pictures. Some picutres show up to 3 spouts in one photo. Only 2 of the spouts actually reached the water that I saw. Check out the last few blow up photos and how close the waterspouts came to a few boats.

Capt. Joe Shute

[gottaflylee]

Wow Joe, very cool. Great job on catching all the action and thanks for sharing with us...

[Boston Whaler]

WOW! nice shots Joe.

[SeaBiscuit]

Very cool shots captain Joe, thanks for posting!
I believe I read recently that water spouts pose no threat to a boat, as they are "heavy" with water and very slow and weak as tornadoes go.
Any experts to confirm or correct? We all seem to at least try to avoid them. I imagine that may have to do with the high likelihood of a major thunderstorm in the vicinity rather than the spouts themselves?
SeaBiscuit

[Ace1st]

Biscuit..... I dont believe that. I have seen video of waterspouts spinning freighters. Also one came ashore at MB a few years ago that totally demolished a couple of motels. They were shutdown all summer for repairs. That one turned cars upside down on Ocean Blvd. I dont want to get my little Sea Vee caught in one thats for sure! Saw one in Core Sound two years ago lifting oysters and dropping them on our heads a mile away. That was an experience!

[Fishfinder]

There was a waterspout that touched down in one of the channels back in the late 80's and picked up a 70 ft. shrimp trawler and turned ia 180 degrees and dropped in back in the water. No one was hurt but the captain didn't know what was going on. One minute he was headed south and the next he was headed north and didn't even turn the wheel.

Capt. Joe

[clt_capt]

Water spouts are a cool sight - not so cool when you have them all around you. I was a lot closer to them than I wanted to be... (couple of years ago off Southport)

[Moveable Assets]

Nice pictures. Not something to mess around with if you can avoid it.

[billh1963]

I believe I read recently that water spouts pose no threat to a boat, as they are "heavy" with water and very slow and weak as tornadoes go.
SeaBiscuit

Back in my shrimpboat days (late 1970's through early 1980's) one of the boats from the dock (IIRC the "Miss JoAnne") got hit by one and almost sank. It tore off the rigging, picked the boat up out of the water a few feet and then dropped it back down. When the boat hit the water a few few planks were sprung. She barely made it back.

[Robja]

Very cool shots captain Joe, thanks for posting!
I believe I read recently that water spouts pose no threat to a boat, as they are "heavy" with water and very slow and weak as tornadoes go.
Any experts to confirm or correct? We all seem to at least try to avoid them. I imagine that may have to do with the high likelihood of a major thunderstorm in the vicinity rather than the spouts themselves?
SeaBiscuit

Nick,

Years ago I watched a water spout come ashore at Long Beach and it took the front porch roof off the ocean front house and sent it thru the second floor and out the back of a second row house less than a quarter of a mile from my house. It was a blessing in disguise since there were no renters in the house that week.