The U.S. Coast Guard is warning mariners and the public Tuesday to exercise caution along the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts Wednesday into Thursday as a strong winter storm is forecast in the area.
Conditions are expected to deteriorate Wednesday night, with hazardous wind and sea conditions throughout Southern New England waters.
Operation for any craft in the maritime environment will be dangerous, as there is high marine impact expected with 50 knot wind gusts and 20+ foot seas Wednesday into Thursday.
Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod air crews are flying storm tracks ahead of the storm to warn mariners of the impending heavy weather.
Coast Guard Cutter Spencer, a 270-foot cutter homeported in Boston, will stage off the coast to respond to offshore search and rescue emergencies.
Due to the expected extreme conditions, some Coast Guard assets may have limited ability to respond to vessels in distress. Therefore, waterfront operators, mariners, fishing vessels, recreational boaters and the general public should exercise extreme caution as conditions begin to deteriorate.