A fire chief in a popular southern Maine beach town says five surfers nearly died after ignoring orders to keep to the shore.
Heart-pounding video shared by the Ogunquit fire chief shows a brave team of world-class ocean lifeguards risking it all to save the kids.
The video taken by a bystander shows the tense moments as the children, floating down the Ogunquit River, were pulled toward the ocean by the strong current.
The heavily-trained, fearless guards jumped on a jet-ski and tore into huge waves in uncontrolled high seas to grab the scofflaws.
The swimmers appeared to be clinging to boogie boards or surfboards when they were pulled on to the jet-ski in the rolling surf.
Ogunquit firefighters said they and police officers responded to Main Beach after 911 calls poured in, but the lifeguards had already snapped into action.
“Within moments our lifeguards had the rescue under control, including a first-year guard who performed like a seasoned pro,” firefighters said on their Facebook page.
Firefighters, however, noted that the water rescue could have been prevented.
In the post featuring the video, firefighters indicated that signs were ignored as the swimmers went from the Ogunquit River to the ocean.
“Floating from the river into the surf doesn’t just put you in danger, it risks the lives of the people who come to save you. Watch your kids. Read the signs. Follow the rules,” firefighters wrote on Facebook.
“One bad decision can turn a fun day into a fight for life. Don’t be the reason for the next rescue.”
Ogunquit guards, who annually bring in lifesaving-skill trophies during Maine ocean-rescue competition, train early every morning.
Their daily jet-ski drills cover the same real-life emergency scenario they encountered.
Lifeguard Deputy Capt. Matthew Pooler said the kids were not wearing life jackets, and their fear was evident.
“Tensions were high because they were very scared,” he said. “We got on the the jet-ski to them very quick.”
“Some of them were crying,” he added. “Some of them were screaming.”
The hero guards were also on top of their game in Old Orchard Beach, saving the lives of 18 distressed swimmers in two days.
Ocean lifeguards are the coast’s unsung, unappreciated, summer legends.
