A line of thunderstorms developed along a strong outflow boundary moving rapidly south across the Florida Keys.  Numerous gale-force wind gusts were measured in the Florida Keys and surrounding coastal waters. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West responded to seven cases as a result of the high winds and seas.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in OCEAN REEF TO CRAIG KEY FL OUT 20NM, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:57:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEY LARGO
Magnitude: 34.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 34 knots (39 mph) was measured at Molasses Reef Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in FLORIDA BAY, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:00:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARATHON
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Coast Guard

A vessel with 2 persons on board was reported sinking between Bahia Honda Key and Big Pine Key.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in GULF SIDE OF THE LOWER KEYS OUT 20NM, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:25:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEY WEST
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Coast Guard

A sailing vessel anchored with one person asleep on board broke free from its mooring and drifted into Key West Harbor.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in W END OF THE 7 MILE BRIDGE TO KEY W OUT 20NM, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 21:51:00 to 28-MAR-11 21:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: BIG PINE KEY
Magnitude: 34.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 34 knots (39 mph) was measured at an automated station on Cudjoe Key near the south end of Cudjoe Bay.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in KEY W TO DRY TORTUGAS WATERS, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:00:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DRY TORTUGAS
Magnitude: 37.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 37 knots (43 mph) was measured at Pulaski Shoal Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in CRAIG KEY TO THE W END OF THE 7 MILE BRIDGE OUT 20NM, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:21:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUCK KEY
Magnitude: 34.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 34 knots (39 mph) was measured by an automated station at the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Pump Station on Long Key.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in W END OF THE 7 MILE BRIDGE TO KEY W OUT 20NM, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:40:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEY WEST
Magnitude: 38.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A wind gust of 38 knots (44 mph) was measured at the Weather Forecast Office in Key West.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in CRAIG KEY TO THE W END OF THE 7 MILE BRIDGE OUT 20NM, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:10:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARATHON
Magnitude: 39.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 39 knots (45 mph) was measured at Sombrero Key Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in KEY W TO DRY TORTUGAS WATERS, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:59:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEY WEST
Magnitude: 38.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 38 knots (44 mph) was measured at Sand Key Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in FLORIDA BAY, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 22:00:00 to 28-MAR-11 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUCK KEY
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Coast Guard

A 50-foot sailing catamaran with three persons on board struck the Long Key Bridge.  The vessel's mast snapped and onboard engine failed.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in CRAIG KEY TO THE W END OF THE 7 MILE BRIDGE OUT 20NM, GULF OF MEXICO
From 28-MAR-11 21:21:00 to 28-MAR-11 21:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUCK KEY
Magnitude: 35.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 35 knots (40 mph) was measured at an automated station at the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Pump Station on Long Key.