Rare Waterspout Spotted Off Shores of Onset [PHOTOS]

During Saturday afternoon’s intense thunderstorms across the SouthCoast, Drew Framson caught a rare atmospheric event on film.

Framson is the First Mate on the MV Viking, which cruises the Cape Cod Canal as part of the Hy-Line Cruises fleet. As the storm bore down on the region Saturday, and as the Viking cruised into Onset, Framson saw a waterspout forming off Hog Island Channel.

He quickly snapped these amazing photos, which he shared in the Onset, Massachusetts Facebook group, and which were later shared by the Wareham Department of Natural Resources.

Framson tells us it’s the first time he’s ever seen a waterspout, which are very rare. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are two types of waterspouts: fair weather waterspouts, and tornadic waterspouts. This was mostly likely a tornadic waterspout, as it formed during a severe thunderstorm.

NOAA says tornadic waterspouts “have the same characteristics as a land tornado,” and that if it was to move onshore, the National Weather Service would issue a tornado warning, because “some of them can cause significant damage and injuries to people.”

Framson said the passengers were advised of the danger of the waterspout and, although concerned, they remained calm.

“Our captain and crew got them safely home,” he said. “The Viking is a sturdy vessel.”