(pic) At least the North Sea doesn't have this!

[Dyflin]

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/humor/4/spout.jpg

[sierraone44]

Yep. Impressive eh!! Do you think they start out on the prairie? One passed a good distance ahead of us in Lake Superior (2+miles) and shortly afterwards we were steaming through what seemed like a "straw" storm as it all drifted down out of the sky.Funny to watch the Mate going beserk though!! ( fresh wet paint on the foredeck rails...)

[Dyflin]

We had one "follow" us when on a VLCC going through the US Gulf up to Galveston a few years ago. Bit nerve racking!

[geoff93]

Weren't there some watrespouts of the coast of essex a little while ago.

[sierraone44]

Off Essex? Could very well have been, a bit technical for me but I think I read somewhere that if the air temperature and pressure are right they can occur anywhere. Bet one of those running along Southend seafront would sort the icecream sellers out....

[pampas]

1922-1939 The grey funnel fleet used them as gunnery practise when above the horizon

[Neville220]

There was one on the River Humber, Lincolnshire, a few years back.