OCEAN CITY — It took just 7 minutes for first responders to pull a mother and her two children from a rip current and bring them safely to the beach Sunday afternoon.
Capt. Chris Vliet said the Ocean City Fire Department received a call at 12:25 p.m. Oct. 5 reporting swimmers in distress between the Music Pier and stone jetty.
“We got dispatched for a water rescue and it was reported there were two victims in the water. While en route, it went to three people, then four, then five,” Vliet said, noting two bystanders went into the water to assist the victims. All five were returned to the beach safely.
Vliet, who was incident commander for the rescue operation, said firefighters Tim Dilling and Tom Dahl donned flippers and went into the water as the Police Department sent up a drone for a better view.
“They went out, gained control of the victims and were able to assist them back to beach,” Vliet said.
As the firefighters swam to the victims, the drone was able to drop a flotation device to aid the swimmers and an officer launched a torpedo from the jetty for further assistance.
In addition, firefighters launched a personal watercraft from 14th Street that was able to transport victims on its sled if necessary.
“If they were not able to beat the current, that was available,” Vliet said.
Everyone was out of the water by 12:32 p.m, he said, noting the mother and children were transported to Shore Medical Center for evaluation.
Vliet said people should always swim at a protected beach.
“What I recommend is that people know their abilities and be smart. Know how to recognize a rip current — there is plenty of information to be gained, tons of literature and videos,” he said.
Vliet said those caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the beach instead of trying to fight the current straight on.
“Certain beaches, they are good for 364 days a year but one day out of the blue there’s a crazy rip current and it’s the worst place to be, some places there are always problems,” he said.
He said that warning signs in that area indicate it is a dangerous spot, noting that the department received a call an hour later to the same site, where one of the bystanders from the earlier rescue was able to bring the victim to shore without the department’s assistance.
“My guys did an excellent job. I couldn’t have asked for anything better, “ he said. “They got right to the victims, provided flotation, calmed them and got them back to the beach.”
Fire department Engine 2 and Ambulances 1 and 2 were on scene to treat victims.
“The ocean temperature is still an inviting 70 degrees, but it’s important for everybody to understand the danger of swimming on unguarded beaches and, in particular, the danger of swimming near Ocean City’s rock groins (jetties), where the currents are strong 365 days a year,” city spokesman Doug Bergen said.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff