SEASIDE HEIGHTS – Stay out. Stay alive. That’s the message Seaside Heights officials have for would-be swimmers in an October ocean.
This past week saw one swimmer rescued on Oct. 2 at the Dupont Avenue Beach, and two teens pulled from rip currents the next day at Sumner Avenue Beach.
Borough officials are reminding everyone that swimming is permitted only when lifeguards are on duty. The beaches won’t be guarded again until Memorial Day weekend next year.
“When you enter the ocean, especially under the conditions that have existed since early September – rip tides and large breaking waves – you risk not only your own life, but also the lives of dozens of first responders who receive the alert similar to the alert uploaded in this post,” the borough posted to its Facebook page Oct. 4.
There was another call for help Oct. 4 at Webster and Hamilton avenues, again, for another swimmer. Dozens of emergency workers responded to pull this person from the ocean.
“Three rescue stations, half a dozen police officers, and EMS units were detailed. Dozens of first responders driving to their buildings and to the scene. High risk just to get to the scene. Then the risk of launching boats and jet skis and personnel into the ocean water in difficult conditions – because of a single careless person thinking that it was a good idea to disregard warning signs and put our volunteers and career public safety officers in harm’s way,” the social media post rebuked. “STAY OUT, STAY ALIVE.”
“As for the questions on the impact on first responders and what response the police will have, simply put, first responders are dispatched and do everything to ensure the safety and well-being of the public,” Seaside Heights Police Det. Steve Korman told Jersey Shore Online.
