Search Underway for Missing Swimmer in Cape May as Beaches Shut Down
Cape May woke up to a frightening scene this morning as emergency crews rushed to the beach at Madison Avenue and Beach Avenue to search for a missing swimmer. Around 7:15 a.m., someone went into the ocean and never came back out.
Search Underway for Missing Swimmer in Cape May as Beaches Shut Down
Cape May Police, Fire, and Beach Patrol were first on scene, joined by the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard. Boats, lifeguards, and first responders are scouring the area for any sign of the swimmer.
Officials are asking for the public’s help. If you know someone who went for a solo swim this morning, or have any information, please call the Cape May Police Department at 609-884-9500.
Double Red Flags Flying
On top of the search effort, Cape May officials announced that the beaches are now closed to swimmers because of rough surf and extremely dangerous rip currents. The Beach Patrol put out a strong warning:
“Please be advised that the Cape May Beach Patrol is flying Double Red flags starting today until further notice. No bathers will be allowed to enter the water due to high surf and dangerous rip currents.”
That means no one is allowed in the water until conditions improve. Even experienced swimmers can get swept away in rip currents this strong.
Why Rip Currents Are So Dangerous
If you’ve ever been knocked around by waves in Cape May, you know how powerful the ocean can be.
Rip currents are fast-moving channels of water that pull swimmers out to sea. They can move faster than an Olympic swimmer and account for nearly 80% of lifeguard rescues nationwide.
The scariest part? Rip currents often don’t look dangerous.
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They can appear as calm, flat spots between breaking waves, tricking swimmers into entering the most hazardous part of the water.
Once you’re in, it’s almost impossible to swim straight back to shore.
The trick, lifeguards say, is to stay calm, float, and swim parallel to the beach until you’re out of the current. But with conditions as rough as they are today, the safest thing is to stay on the sand.
Stay Safe, Stay Dry
With Double Red flags up, Cape May Beach Patrol is making it clear: the ocean is off-limits until further notice. The search for the missing swimmer is still underway, and more updates will come as officials release information.
For now, if you’re heading to the beach, stick to walking the shoreline, enjoying the sun, and giving rescue crews the space they need to work.