Dramatic video show swimmer rescued in Queens after beaches close
NEW YORK - Dramatic video captures the rescue of a swimmer in distress at Rockaway Beach.
Authorities say it happened Thursday just before 7 p.m. - an hour after beaches closed for swimming.
The video shows six people helping to pull a man to shore with a rescue buoy amid powerful waves. The man can be seen being pulled in and losing his footing, then being pulled up from the water by rescuers and, ultimately, making it to shore.
Swimming is permitted at New York City beaches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily where lifeguards are on duty. Swimming is not allowed after hours or in areas where there are no lifeguards.
NYC's new lifeguard plan in response to recent drownings
Earlier this week, in response to several recent drownings at New York City beaches, the city's Parks Department initiated a new protocol to keep lifeguards at their stations until 8 p.m. when the city's emergency heat plan has been activated. That happens when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory, which the city was under Thursday.
Under the new plan, even if lifeguards remain on station until 8 p.m., swimming still stops at 6 p.m.
"Being able to have a presence on the beach after hours to enhance safety," NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said.
Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday's rescue was a direct result of that plan and he thanked New York City lifeguards for keeping swimmers safe. Donoghue agreed.
"Did it save that person's life? Absolutely. The fact that they were in their stations, able to react and able to pull that person out of the water," Donoghue said.
Donoghue said just because lifeguards are at their stations after 6 p.m. doesn't mean people should still swim. Lifeguards aren't at their stands during extended hours, for their safety.
"Like a hot day, like today, they're out there from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. We are worried about heat exhaustion for them," Donoghue said.
She said the Parks Department is constantly advancing its procedures to adapt to Mother Nature, adding the schedule change is due to the more intense heat we've been seeing.
There have been at least four drownings this summer in New York City after lifeguards went off duty, including two teens who died at Jacob Riis Beach in late June and two teen sisters who drowned at Coney Island Beach in July.
While there's still a national lifeguard shortage, the Parks Department credis strong recruiting efforts for its recent 8% increase in hiring. Last year, 850 lifeguards were on its payroll. This year, it's 920. Donoghue says they have a goal of reaching 1,000 lifeguards, but likely won't hit it by the end of the summer because getting them certified is a process.
