Current danger
State issues warning to swimmers after recent drownings
Bay State beachgoers are being warned of dangerous rip currents after the lifethreatening undertows recently pulled people out to sea.
The warning from the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation also follows a series of drownings.
DCR this week is reminding coastal beachgoers to be cautious of rip currents, especially at Salisbury Beach and Westport’s Horseneck Beach State Reservation.
Salisbury used to only have lifeguards on the weekend, but DCR said lifeguards are now on duty every day after people were pulled out to sea on recent weekdays.
“Visitors are advised to swim in designated swimming areas which are clearly marked with ropes and buoys,” DCR tweeted on Tuesday. “Swimming outside of designated areas is strongly discouraged and usually prohibited.
“Parents serve as the first and primary line of safety for their children, and nothing replaces a parent’s watchful eye,” DCR added. “If possible, the agency recommends visitors always swim in the buddy system.”
NOAA this year launched a national rip current forecast model, aimed at saving lives of beachgoers around the country. This new model can predict the hourly probability of rip currents along U.S. beaches up to six days out.
Chris Boyle, the recreation facilities supervisor at Horseneck Beach, said it’s important for beach visitors to check in with DCR staff and lifeguards about rip current conditions.
“If you have young children, stay with them. Keep them close by,” Boyle said in a National Weather Service video, adding, “If caught in a rip, swim parallel to shore. Raise your hand. Yell for help. Someone will be out to help you.”
People should never fight against a rip current.
Other safety tips from the National Weather Service include: Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly; float or calmly tread water if you’re unable to swim out of the rip current; when out of the rip current, swim toward shore; if you’re still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and yelling for help.