HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 046-2017 Swimmers Caught in Rip TideBAL HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER
To:
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manag
Date: March 10, 2017
Subject: Swimmers Caught in Rip Tide
LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 046-2017
Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to transmit to you three incidents of distressed
swimmers along the Bal Harbour beach on Wednesday, March 8, 2017.
On that date, the Bal Harbour Police Department addressed three (3) incidents of
swimmers caught in rip currents on the north end of the beach. All of the incidents took
place near the area behind the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
The first incident took place at approximately 10:45 am. A Bal Harbour police officer was
conducting a patrol of the beach and jetty when he was alerted by a beachgoer of two
swimmers in distress. The officer located the victims approximately 50 yards from shore
and immediately requested assistance from all police marine units in the area. One of the
victims was rescued by the marine patrol and the other was assisted by surfers which were
in the area. It was later determined that the swimmer rescued by the police vessel had
actually entered the surf in an attempt to assist the other swimmer. Miami -Dade Fire
Rescue evaluated both victims, which were found to be in good condition.
The second incident took place at approximately 1:00 pm, the Bal Harbour Police
Department was alerted of two (2) swimmers in distress, also struggling with rip currents.
Upon the arrival of the police officers, the swimmers were being pulled to shore by a
resident. The resident was able to deploy the life ring and ResQ Disc that was stationed
near the area, pulling the victims to safety. The victims were examined by Miami Dade Fire
Rescue and were found to be in good condition. After this incident an officer was assigned
to the beach in an attempt to discourage persons from entering the surf.
The third took place at approximately 2:04 pm, when Bal Harbour police officers were
patrolling the area and were alerted of a swimmer in distress. As the officers approached,
a good Samaritan had entered the surf and pulled the victim to safety. This victim also
sustained no injury. Due to a concern for public safety, the decision was made to display
the no swimming flags and close the surf to swimmers. The warnings as well as the beach
closure were posted onto social media and broadcasted via the village's Wireless
Emergency Notification System (WENS). The Town of Surfside Police Department was also
advised of the incidents. Following the closure, there were no other incidents.
LTC 046-2017: Swimmers Caught in Rip Tide
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In total, there were five persons caught in the rip tide; three were tourists and two were
Miami -Dade County residents. With the exception of the good Samaritan, none of the
swimmers involved in these incident were residents of the Village. The daily surf advisory
issued by the police communications section called for hazardous conditions throughout
the day and the appropriate red flags were displayed at all five participating locations prior
to these incidents. The current system of surf condition notification and signage coupled
with the rescue devises situated along the beach front were effective in aiding the
distressed victims.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, or Acting Chief De la Rosa.
JMG/MdIR