Md., Del. beach patrols rescue 300-plus during weekend

When a beach patrol captain describes the surf as a "soupy washing machine," it's probably a good idea not to go in too far.

The second weekend in August saw some of the most difficult conditions for lifeguards up and down the coast.

The combination of a low pressure system hugging the coastline and a northeast wind created choppy water conditions, 6-8 foot waves and dangerous rip currents.

Beach Patrols in Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City rescued more than 350 swimmers during the weekend, beach patrol captains reported.

"We controlled the situation pretty good," Rehoboth Beach Patrol Captain Kent Buckson said. "We made sure it was safe and people were protected. I gotta tip my hat to my staff. They were trained and ready."

With more than 100 rescues on Sunday alone, Buckson hasn't had time to calculate each rescue or assist, but said it was close to 225 for the two-mile stretch of beach.

It was the most dangerous three- or four-day stretch of conditions he has seen in a couple of summers.

While there weren't too many injuries — because people realized the waves were too rough for riding — the rip currents and volume of waves caused swimmers to have issues.

Taking preventive measures helped, with guards pulling people in close to the shoreline in ankle-deep water during the lunch-break period that only has one guard on per stand.

The conditions were a "recipe for a disaster," but handled well.

"This was one of our true tests of the season," he said.

In Bethany Beach, Capt. Joe Donnelly said there were 72 rescues, 54 being on Sunday.

In terms of rescues, it was an average weekend based on the conditions, but a lot of people avoided going in too deep, he said.

Lifeguards put on a few restrictions to keep people in safe waters.

Much like Bethany Beach, Captain Butch Arbin reported 77 rescues on Sunday, but almost none in the previous two days.

The most dangerous situations occurred when guards were off duty, he said.

After pulling everyone out of the water at 5:10 p.m. Sunday, lifeguards urged swimmers to stay on the beach.

Wary of beach goers, Arbin sent out four patrols of two-men crews driving the beach.

Luckily, three people were rescued near the south end where the rocks were. Although they were safe, a head, back and leg injury occurred resulting in a call to the EMS.

There were also a dozen rescues prior to the start of the day Sunday.

All this is not abnormal, but Arbin asked people to listen to the education lifeguards give while they are on the beach.

With the weather calming, the worst of the surf should be settling.

"We believe the next few days going on, the rip current activity is going to decrease but that can change just as the weather can change," Arbin said.

rmarshall@dmg.gannett.com

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