Drone Helps Save Swimmers Stuck In Jersey Shore Rip Current

SURF CITY, NJ — Two swimmers were rescued Thursday evening after a report of swimmers in distress at Division Avenue Beach in Surf City, according to Surf City Volunteer Fire Company and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.

The call came in July 17 at about 6:14 p.m., when Station 49 was dispatched to the beach on Division Avenue. Water Rescue Truck 4906, Jet Ski 4916, UTV 4927 and ambulance 496 responded, along with additional apparatus from stations 46, 15 and 13, and HCBP after-hours patrol, according to the account.

Two swimmers had been caught in a rip current. Officials said that surfers went out to help. Two rescue swimmers from the water rescue team entered the ocean with rescue cans, and another team member deployed with a rescue board to assist.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office said Officer Cook responded and deployed an OCSO drone equipped with a Restube flotation device. According to the sheriff’s office, one of the swimmers was able to grab the device and was brought safely to shore by lifeguards.

The victims were secured with flotation. All victims were brought safely to shore and evaluated by EMTs.

“Most evenings, OCSO has drone operators in place on both the north and south islands to help keep our waters safe,” the sheriff's office said.