Crime & Safety

Coast Guard Rescues 5 Swimmers Off Belmar Coast

High rip current risk, turbulent surf and unguarded beaches were present on Saturday

BELMAR, NJ - The U.S. Coast Guard pulled five people from the choppy waters off the 4th Avenue beach in Belmar late Saturday afternoon.

Coast Guard Delaware Bay was notified by Belmar water rescue personnel at 5:50 p.m. that two swimmers were in distress off the unguarded beach, according to a news release.

Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and sent a 29-foot response boat from the Shark River station to assist.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Two lifeguards in the area and an off-duty police officer also swam out to help the swimmers.

The boat crew recovered a total of five people from the water and transported them to the Shark River station, where local emergency medical services were waiting.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty banned any ocean swimming on Saturday, he posted on Twitter.

Photo: Patch file photo

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.