Special Marine Warning Issued for Coastal Waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a Special Marine Warning for coastal waters in Northeast Florida. The alert was issued at 4:19 PM EDT and remains in effect until 5:15 PM EDT on March 8, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning covers coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine, FL, extending out to 20 nautical miles. Specific locations impacted include:

• Nassau Sound Approach Buoy 6a
• Saint Johns Lighted Buoy
• Atlantic Beach

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to move to safe harbor until the hazardous weather passes. If a vessel is caught offshore, operators should immediately secure for heavy weather. Ensure all crew members are wearing USCG approved Type I life jackets and that nonessential crew remain below decks. Boaters should also deploy jack lines and harnesses if available and check the readiness of life-saving equipment, including batteries on handheld radios.

Expected Conditions

At 4:19 PM EDT, radar indicated a strong thunderstorm located over Mayport, or approximately 29 nautical miles north of Saint Augustine, moving northeast at 15 knots. The primary hazard consists of wind gusts of 34 knots or greater. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately as of 4:19 PM EDT and is scheduled to expire at 5:15 PM EDT on March 8, 2026.