Coast Guard Warns Of Cold Water Temps Despite Mild Spell

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ - The air temperatures may be warm, but the ocean water temperatures are not.

That's the warning from the U.S. Coast Guard for boaters venturing out into the ocean..

"During warm winter weather, the waters of the mid-Atlantic are still extremely cold, hovering around 40 degrees and can quickly cause hypothermia," a Coast Guard spokesperson said today.

Boaters who head to the ocean need to prepare as they would for any winter trip and carry appropriate gear. That includes an immersion suit, operational communication equipment and filing a float plan, so first responders can search with better accuracy.

"Wearing regular clothes like jeans or a sweatshirt under a life jacket provides little protection against the cold water," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Mary Doyle, a boatswains mate at Coast Guard Atlantic City. "While the air temperature can be warm, hypothermia can take place within minutes of entering the water. For boaters and kayakers to be safe in the winter, they need to be wearing a life jacket, waterproof cold weather gear and have reliable communications onboard to call help."

Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard