HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR121517TwovisitorsrescuedatAniniBeach
C O U NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
KAUA‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 15, 2017
ROBERT WESTERMAN, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Two visitors rescued at ‘Anini Beach
‘ANINI –Two men from Wisconsin were rescued from extremely rough surf off ‘Anini
Beach on Wednesday.
No injuries were reported.
First responders were notified at approximately 11:50 a.m. of two swimmers in distress
and being swept out into large surf at ‘Anini Beach.
Lifeguards on jet-ski, Hanalei firefighters, and Rescue 3 aboard Air 1 responded to the
scene.
Ocean Safety’s East Roving Unit jet-ski personnel were near the area when the call
came in, and were first on scene. They quickly launched their jet-ski from ‘Anini and were in the
water by 12 p.m.
Engine 1 and Truck 1 arrived on scene shortly after and helped guide the lifeguards
towards the swimmers’ location.
Rescuers found the men hanging on to one body board in the water and assisted them
safely back to shore. The men, ages 33 and 54, declined further treatment from first responders
at the scene.
The Ocean Safety Bureau began its roving unit patrols on Dec. 1, 2016. The unit acts as
a mobile lifeguard tower and consists of a team of two to three lifeguards, equipped with a 4x4
truck, a jet-ski and a trailer. The mobile unit patrols various beaches on the north, east and
southwest shores daily to assist with ocean rescues and prevention efforts at beaches without
lifeguard stations.
“During the past year since the pilot program began, our roving patrols have made
numerous rescues on beaches without the presence of lifeguards,” said Ocean Safety
Supervisor Kalani Vierra. “On this particular High Surf Warning day, we stationed our East
Roving Unit to the North Shore for added coverage due to the dangerous ocean conditions.
We’re thankful that our roving patrol was there to act swiftly in this rescue.”
Ocean safety officials reported waves of up to 30 to 40 feet Wednesday along the North
Shore with very strong rip currents. As a public safety precaution, officials advised no swimming
or snorkeling at all north-facing shores, including ‘Anini Beach. This advisory remains in effect.
Beachgoers are encouraged to visit guarded beaches, such as Lydgate or Po‘ipū
beaches, and to heed all posted warnings and advisories.
For updated information on ocean and weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service
website at www.weather.gov/hawaii.
For up-to-date information about ocean conditions and ocean safety, please speak to a
county lifeguard at any lifeguard station, log onto www.kauaiexplorer.com, or call the Ocean
Safety Bureau at 241-4984.
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