A high-risk warning for dangerous riptides remains in effect for the Jersey Shore after drownings and rescues over the Labor Day weekend. The warning is due to the remnants of hurricanes Franklin and Idalia. Swimmers are advised to be alert. Bill Hutchinson reported
High-Risk Warning for Dangerous Riptides Remains in Effect at Jersey Shore after Series of Drownings and Rescues
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A high-risk warning for dangerous riptides continued to be in effect on Tuesday for the Jersey Shore, following a string of drownings and rescues that took place over the Labor Day weekend. Officials have emphasized the need for swimmers to remain vigilant and alert, as the National Weather Service warning will remain active until Tuesday evening. This warning comes as the remnants of hurricanes Franklin and Idalia continue to churn up dangerous rip currents along the coast.
According to authorities, three swimmers lost their lives due to drowning incidents over the holiday weekend, while many others had to be rescued by lifeguards. One of the tragic incidents involved a 22-year-old man, identified as Edwin Antonio Made Sanchez from the Dominican Republic. He lost his life at Beach Haven in Ocean County on Sunday after being struck by a powerful wave. Despite the efforts of lifeguards and beachgoers who formed a human chain to save him, he could not be revived. At the same location, two other swimmers were successfully rescued by lifeguards.
In a separate incident at Belmar, located in Monmouth County and approximately 50 miles north of Beach Haven, five swimmers were rescued from the rough surf off Fifth Avenue Beach on Sunday. Sadly, one of the rescued individuals, a 24-year-old man whose identity has not been released, was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Rip currents, which flow out towards the ocean, pose a significant threat to swimmers. These currents can quickly pull individuals away from the shore, reaching speeds of 1 to 2 feet per second, and occasionally even faster. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that some rip currents can be faster than an Olympic swimmer.
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The best course of action to survive a rip current is to avoid panicking and refrain from attempting to swim directly towards the shore. Instead, it is advised to swim parallel to the shore or tread water until the current naturally carries the swimmer out of harm’s way, as recommended by the Red Cross.
In a remarkable act of heroism, surfer Stephen Houser, a former U.S. Marine, rescued a struggling swimmer named Gabe McCabe off Long Beach Island in Ocean County on Sunday. Houser, equipped with a boogie board, swiftly reached McCabe and recorded the rescue, later sharing the footage on YouTube. McCabe expressed his gratitude, stating, “Steve definitely was the man of the moment for me.” Houser, who has rescued swimmers in the past, emphasized the exceptional strength of the rip currents that day, describing them as particularly powerful and frightening.
Further incidents occurred on Sunday, with six swimmers being rescued off Seaside Park in Ocean County after lifeguards noticed their distress in the swift currents. However, a search is still underway for a 31-year-old swimmer who is believed to have been dragged out by a riptide at Seaside Park.
Tragically, the body of another 31-year-old swimmer, identified as Richard Boateng, was found on Monday at North Shores Beach, just north of Rehoboth Beach in Maryland. Boateng had gone missing in the water off Rehoboth Beach around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, and his remains washed up on shore the following day.
In Strathmere, located in Cape May County, New Jersey, two additional rescues took place over the Labor Day weekend. Lifeguards successfully saved a teenage girl and her father, who were swimming in an area without lifeguard protection. Upper Township Beach Patrol Chief Bill Handley commended the quick response of his team, stating, “We ran a chain of getting guards into vehicles to get them on the scene.”
As the warnings for dangerous riptides persist along the Jersey Shore, authorities continue to urge swimmers to exercise caution and adhere to the guidance provided by lifeguards. It is crucial for beachgoers to prioritize their safety and take appropriate measures to prevent tragic incidents caused by the powerful rip currents..
