Heavy wind storms pose threat for boats, fishermen along CA coast

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KGO) -- The strong El Nino fueled storm approaching the Bay Area has boaters sounding a warning to anyone thinking about going in the water.

It's not just the rain and massive waves that will be a problem for boaters. The gail force winds could pose the biggest issue.

At Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay, the Harbor Master took down the California flag for the night.

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But the red pennant will remain as small craft advisory is in effect overnight.

Leonard Gradwell, Jr., is staying aboard a 27-foot boat moored here.

He's been preparing for the coming storm.

"I think they've had boats sink out here. If the wind blows hard enough, and the water gets deep enough, and things just go wrong enough, you're on the bottom," he said.

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Fisherman Donald Marshall installed a few extra bumper buoys to make sure his boat doesn't get damaged while it's moored in the storm.

"I'd say it's the biggest storm that they've forecasted for the season. There's a considerable amount of rainfall and a lot of wind that's going to be back to back," Donald Marshall, a commercial fisherman.

In Pacifica, massive waves chased tourists from the ocean front.

And they continue to gnaw away at coastal homes and properties that have been compromised by this season's earlier storms.

The coast guard and local fire departments are warning coastal residents to tie down anything that could take off in the wind.

WATCH VIDEO: City officials worried over Pacifica coast as weekend storm approaches

That includes surf boards and kayaks that are mistakenly pulled into the ocean, triggering false alarms for emergency crews.

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