Two Swimmers Rescued At Nobadeer By Lifeguards And Surfers

Two swimmers caught in a rip current were rescued from the surf at Nobadeer Beach Sunday morning by Nantucket lifeguards and ACK Surf School staff.

With Hurricane Ernesto passing east of the island, Nantucket Harbormaster Sheila Lucey had closed all south shore beaches to swimming Saturday and Sunday due to the heavy surf and rip currents, and the rescue occurred as lifeguards were warning people to stay out of the water.

The call initially came in as a person unconscious in the surf, prompting a large public safety response in addition to those first responders already at the beach.

The swimmers - a man and a woman - were brought back to shore by the lifeguards and surf school staff, while Nantucket Fire Department EMTs and Nantucket Police Department officers gathered on the beach to assist the first responders in the water. The man was later transported by ambulance to Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

“The lifeguards went in to rescue two individuals in distress and were assisted by surfers on the beach,” Harbormaster Sheila Lucey told the Current. “NFD and NPD also assisted on the beach getting everyone back in. We ask the public to please, please heed the warnings and go to the north shore to swim today.”

It was one of “multiple saves” by lifeguards along the south shore Sunday morning, according to Nantucket Police.

ACK Surf School owner Gaven Norton was among those who went into the water to rescue the two swimmers.

“I would just say to know your limits and always make sure someone is around or watching you,” Norton said. “And Nantucket is super lucky to have the surfing community it does to be able to assist the lifeguards in situations like that.”