WASHINGTON — Rip currents and high surf made for a dangerous weekend at Ocean City in Maryland and Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.
Two people, including a 7-year-old girl, died in the waters off Ocean City. And just to the north in Rehoboth Beach, more than 50 rescues had to be made on Saturday alone.
“It was very dangerous out here, with big, heavy waves and dangerous rip currents,” said Capt. Kent Buckson, of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol.
He advised swimmers, “Never try to go out into the ocean when there is no lifeguard on duty, whether it’s the morning or the evening. We see a lot of people lose their life as a result of making the decision to swim when a lifeguard is not on duty.”
The beach patrol staff in Rehoboth is now down to a skeleton crew, and will only patrol the beaches along the boardwalk through Sept. 27.
Buckson said signs at other beaches will let visitors know there are no guards on duty.
According to Ocean City’s Beach Patrol website, guards are on duty through Sunfest, Sept. 24 – 27.
