Jersey Shore first responders beg people to stay out of the ocean without lifeguards following another deadly weekend
On Saturday just before noon, a 911 call came in to dispatch about a person in trouble at Seaside Park off the 8th Avenue beach.
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It may be October, but it was another deadly weekend at the Jersey Shore as rescue crews were busy both Saturday and Sunday in Ocean County.
On Saturday just before noon, a 911 call came in to dispatch about a person in trouble at Seaside Park off the 8th Avenue beach.
“We had numerous rescues on the beach and unfortunately one gentleman did pass away,” said Capt. Tim Sullivan, of the Seaside Park Fire Department.
Capt. Sullivan says the victim was a 54-year-old man from Whippany. Less than two hours later, crews were dispatched again, filmed and witnessed by local resident Jessica Marino.
“I just seen all these trucks coming down the beach. Just squad car after squad car. One with a jet ski pulled up. There was someone past the waves trying to get back in,” said Marino.
The woman pulled out of the surf in this case survived.
Then on Sunday, a brand new 25-foot vessel got caught in the wave action at the ocean entrance to Barnegat Inlet. Breaking waves flipped the vessel as it was trying to return to the bay, throwing two people overboard. People on Jet Skis along with Towboat US and Sea Tow assisted helping the two victims and the recovery of the craft.
Rescue crews say a combination of factors has made this fall particularly dangerous. First, these warm summer-like temperatures are also keeping the ocean temperatures well above normal. Second, a plethora of offshore hurricanes has continuously sent powerful swells all the way to the Jersey Shore.
“The waves do not look large so people who are not familiar with it are enticed to take a dip,” added Capt. Sullivan.
“Just take a second, kind of scan, watch the wave action and where you don’t see any is typically a rip current,” said Marino.
Marino pointed out two dangerous rip currents still visible on the Seaside Park beaches Monday. The messaging from first responders remains the same.
“If you get in trouble, it’s five minutes before we can even get here. So please just stay out of the water,” pleaded Captain Sullivan.
