Lifeguards and Rip Currents

OGUNQUITArea lifeguards recently finished a particularly difficult training workout, which included handling 100-yard rip currents. For those unfamiliar with rip currents, they are channels of water flowing between sandbars, or structures such as piers and jetties that flow out to sea. They can also form in seemingly calm area, but pose a risk to swimmers of all skill levels.

As lifeguards reported to their stands, three juveniles from a nearby summer camp were pulled into a rip current off the main beach. Guards Thompson, Ferraro, Miranda, Lapointe, and Smart sprang into action with rescue boards and tubes to assist them. The swimmers were successfully extricated from the water and sent for further evaluation by Beach EMT Tardif. Captain Adam Legg said, “Due to the strong rip current, the area was closed to swimmers for approximately three hours.”

Lifeguards positioned their ATV in the middle of the rip on the beach to provide preventive information, as the Jet ski patrolled the shore to ensure a fast removal of anyone captured in a rip. Later in the evening as life-

40th National Night Out

YORK COUNTY -

guards were about to go off duty, Guards Hallowell and Gomes entered the water on the point of the river mouth for three teens who had stepped off the edge of the drop off and were pulled into a fast moving rip current. 911 was called by a nearby patron, but lifeguards were already responding and securing the teens with a rescue board until the jet ski deployed by guards Miranda and Legg reached the patrons who were shuttled back to main beach for further evaluation by Ogunquit Fire Department. One teen was transported to YorkHospital for evaluation.

The recent rip tide activity has Ogunquit Lifeguards wanting to remind the public that rip currents are dangerous and abundant across the beach. Chief Osgood said “The guards have launched a rip current

See RIPTIDES on page 12 . . .

By Susan Gallagher, Staff Writer

NORTH BERWICK -

Since 1984, National Night Out has been held across the country as an event through which citizens can connect with their local law enforcement agencies. According to the organization’s website, “National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”

This year’s night out takes place on Tuesday, August 1, and will feature various events with local police departments.

The Kennebunk Police Department will host at the Waterhouse Center pavilion, 51 Main Street, from 5 to 8 p.m. Their event will give visitors the opportunity to meet with local police, EMS, and fire department members and will feature face painting, a scavenger hunt, and other activities for kids, as well as free hotdogs and a lemonade stand. There will also be multiple displays highlighting home and personal safety. Raffles will be held, the proceeds for which go to Special Olympics of Maine.

In Kittery, the police, fire, harbormaster, and public works departments, along with the Eliot Police Department, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and other local area first responders, will host a community event that “shines a spotlight on crime prevention, safety, and community partnerships.”

It will be held at the Kittery Community Center, 120 Rogers Road, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Food will be available, including free hot dogs, chips, water, and ice pops, along with fried dough and shaved ice for purchase. It will also feature lawn games, bounce houses, caricatures by Leona, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard STEM activities. The Thursday Afternoon Band will perform live starting at 6:30 p.m.

In York, the police department, joined by the village and beach fire departments and the South Berwick Police Department, will host at the Bog Road Fields, 50 Bog Road, from 5 to 8 p.m. It will offer games, free food, and the opportunity to mingle with local first responders and explore a number of emergency vehicles.

For more information, visit www.natw.org. To see details of local events, visit your town’s police website or Facebook page.