Severe weather can emerge rapidly, Coast Guard warns The U.S. Coast Guard is warning mariners to exercise vigilance against severe weather, particularly strong storms that can emerge suddenly. The agency issued a safety alert spurred by a series of serious incidents where weather was a factor. The list of incidents included the liftboat SEACOR Power capsizing in April, the drillship Noble Globetrotter II damaged during Hurricane Ida in August, and the sinking of the tour boat Stretch Duck 7 in 2018 near Branson, Mo., that left 17 people dead. "If you are not ready for heavy weather or rapid changes in weather, you and your vessel may suffer devastating consequences," the service said in an Oct. 26 safety alert. "Heavy weather events or rapid changes in weather can be even more severe if you do not know about the approaching conditions," the alert continued.