Seaside Heights Beach Shut Down Due To Ocean Rescues And Rip Currents

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - The summer beach season has ended, but many swimmers are still enjoying the last few warm days of the year.

But a high number of rip currents and unpatrolled beaches has turned dangerous along the Jersey Shore.

WCBS 880's Jim Smith reports

Police and fire officials have had to make at least two rescues on Sunday. Authorities said a 54-year-old man was rescued in Surf City by a 17-year-old who was surfing nearby.

"The ocean is a dangerous playground," Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd told WCBS 880's Jim Smith. "We did shut the beach down for public safety" because there are no lifeguards monitoring the ocean, he said.

Boyd warned that the ocean this time of year is rougher than it is during the peak of summer.

"Makes it a much faster what we call washing machine. It's gonna suck you right out and spin you," Boyd told Smith. "The dangers today are when they're going to go in and they think they're going up to their knees, and they get hit by a wave, the current undercuts their feet," he added.

Boyd said swimmers must be especially careful now that lifeguard patrols have ended for the season.

"We shut the beach down. We now have police officers riding on ATVs to make sure nobody goes in the water," Boyd said.

Have you gone in the ocean since the summer season ended? Share your comments below...