patching...
Update: Please "like" our Point Pleasant Patch Facebook page for links to stories and lots of great extras! »
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Rip-Current Rescues Keep Lifeguards Busy Along Oceanfront

N.Y. man taken to hospital after rescue

 

Despite repeated warnings and reports of rip currents, lifeguards along the Jersey Shore's beaches were kept busy pulling distressed swimmers from the rough surf this past weekend.

Reports of rescues were steady all day, but two led to injuries:

In the Ocean Beach section of Toms River, five people were reported to be in distress in the afternoon, Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said.

"A 27-year-old Scotia, N.Y., man was rescued along with two other swimmers who were caught in a rip at East Sea Way," Mastronardy said. The man was rescued by six off-duty lifeguards and a surfer and was brought to shore within 10 minutes of the distressed swimmer call being received, he said.

The man was taken to Community Medical Center, Toms River, to be checked out afterward, Mastronardy said.

A later incident in South Seaside Park reportedly involved seven swimmers, two of whom were injured. Few details were available on the incident.

Authorities continue to stress that beachgoers need to follow lifeguards' instructions at beaches where guards are present, and that people should not swim at unguarded beaches, as even the best swimmers can be at risk of injury in rip currents. The presence of a red flag indicates the beach is closed to swimming.

Lifeguards will be on duty daily in Island Beach State Park now, officials said. Saturday was the first day of week-round staffing. But other areas, including Midway Beach in the South Seaside Park section of Berkeley, are not staffed full-time.

Rough surf and rip current advisories are expected to continue through Sunday.

 

 

 
Related Topics: Island Beach State Park, Ocean Beach, South Seaside Park, Toms River beaches, and rip currents

.

8:02 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012

It shows how well people listen to the advisories.

Reply

Derek Dickinson

12:39 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012

Thank you Midway and Berkeley Lifegods for saving my daughter and her friends Anytime you need a water or use the bathroom come by the door is always open 23 10th lane

Reply

Beach Girl

7:25 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012

I was at Brick Beach on Saturday. The lifeguards told everyone not to go in past their knees. There were a few dopes who kept on going on, and the lifeguards kept blowing the whistle on them. Finally, 2 went too far and needed to be rescued by about 5 lifeguards. Don't people get it? Don't go in past your knees means don't go in past your knees!!

Reply

Teresa Rausch

2:00 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012

because people are stupid, I have worked in the morgue for 10 years and every summer we have drowning 1 because people go in after the Life Guards go off duty and 2 because they have no swimming ability but yet want to go out as far a cruise liner.

Reply

kgm

5:24 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012

What are these people thinking?!?! When they put out these warnings don't people think the lifeguards know what they r talking about. Why can't they just get wet, cool off, and then play volleyball.or some other beach activity. It makes me mad because their stupidity puts lifeguards and others at risk by having to.go out there to rescue them.

Reply

Stan Walker

6:12 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012

August 2011 - Chris Christie to New Jerseyans: 'Get the hell off the beach.'

Reply

Dominick Palermo

3:05 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012

Bennys--------Stay outa the water --------Most locals know the ocean and can avoid rips

Reply

Leave a comment

 

The Point Pleasant Patch
Valentine's Shopping Guide

See the full guide!

Patch Picks