No Swimming As Search For Missing Jersey Shore Swimmer Heads Into Second Day

CAPE MAY, NJ — Dangerous surf means that swimming is still banned in Cape May as the search for a missing swimmer heads into its second day.

Cape May police said that local authorities were dispatched to Madison Avenue beach at about 8 a.m. Thursday for the report of a missing swimmer.

However, they found out upon arrival that the report was nearly an hour old, and no one in distress was found in the immediate vicinity, police said.

Thursday was spent with authorities scanning the water with sonar, but no one was found.

Cape May police, firefighters and beach patrol were joined by United States Coast Guard (USCG), New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Marine Services, Townbank Fire, North Wildwood Fire and Cape May Public Works to assist in search efforts. Towboat US and Seatow also joined.

"At this time, search efforts are ongoing from the USCG and NJSP Marine Services," Cape May firefighters said Thursday night.

Shortly after announcing the search, officials said that double red flags would be flying at the beach "until further notice." Those flags remain flying as of Friday.

"No bathers will be allowed to enter the water due to high surf and dangerous rip currents," officials said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact Detective Atkinson with the Cape May Police Department at 609-884-9508