Janet Garrison and Tippy Muller watched the 39-year-old man struggling about 25 yards offshore. They both called 911 for help.

“I saw a man going 'Help help.' I ran to the water, started shaking my hand to let him know somebody's here to help you,” said Janet Garrison, who was visiting Lavallette from Warrington, Virginia.

“When I came down the hill, he was screaming, 'Please help me, someone please help me,'” said Tippy Muller, who lives in Lavallette.

The two women and another man decided against going into the boiling surf to try and help because it was just too dangerous.

“I said maybe if we get enough people we can make a chain. Obviously, we couldn't do that,” said Garrison.

Around five minutes passed between the 911 calls and the arrival of the first rescue Jet Ski.

“By the time our officers got here, we couldn't see him shortly after they saw him partially submerged face down in the water,” said Lavallette Police Chief Christian LaCicero.

Beach replenishment projects on either side of Lavallette created challenging conditions all summer long, combined with the aftereffects of Hurricane Erin. Three people were rescued in this very spot on Sunday. Last week, News 12 showed how quickly the ocean drops off just steps away from the dry sand. On Tuesday, signs warn of the danger on Route 35 in and out of town.

“This could be one of the most frustrating days that I've been as a lifeguard captain because we kept everybody out all week. We had a rescue here, a line rescue on Sunday. We knew the area was dangerous,” said Lavallette Beach Patrol captain Jack Caucino.

“It was a terrible feeling. I'll never forget. I'll never forget hearing him yell,” said Muller.

Police tell News 12 they will add patrols on ATVs and quads during the day along Lavallette beaches to try and keep people out of the water.

There are no plans to close the beaches.

Guards will return this weekend for Founders Day.