‘The water does not lose’: sheriff warns SW FL about rip present risks

• Rip currents are a big hazard in Southwest Florida, resulting in a number of drownings and rescues.
• Officials advise swimmers caught in a rip present to not struggle it, however to drift till it subsides.
• Authorities urge boaters to have a security plan, carry life vests, and keep away from working vessels underneath the affect.
• A lack of information about water security and boating guidelines is a major explanation for accidents in Lee County.

It’s unforgiving and it may kill you in a matter of seconds for those who attempt to struggle again.

Rip currents are one of many best risks that exist within the waters of Southwest Florida. 

“The water doesn’t care. The water doesn’t care what age you are, what gender you are, what race you are … It doesn’t care who you are,” stated Sgt. Matt Ansell of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit.

Less than every week in the past, on May 10, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office rescued three ladies who had been struggling in a rip present at Lovers Key State Park. 

But not everyone seems to be so fortunate.

In 2026 to this point, Lee County has already seen three adults die by drowning. And in 2025, six adults and 4 kids had been killed by drowning, in keeping with Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

“One drowning is too many,” Marceno stated.

Just in time for National Safe Boating Week, which is May 16-22, the sheriff gave a press convention on Wednesday, May 10, about among the key practices that Lee County residents ought to take note when coming into any physique of water, as huge because the ocean or as small because the pool.

Here are a few of Sheriff Marceno’s ideas:

• Weather can change in a matter of minutes, so have a well-thought plan. Let individuals know the place you’ll be boating. Make certain you’ve life vests for each individual on the boat, security kits, radios. If the climate turns into dangerous, the sheriff’s workplace marine unit will likely be extra simply capable of finding you.
• If you might be caught in a rip present, don’t struggle in opposition to it. Don’t panic and float with the present till it lets down, then swim again towards shore.
• Use the buddy system when swimming and keep away from swimming alone.
• Don’t function a ship underneath the affect of medicine or alcohol.
• Don’t go away your kids alone once they’re within the pool. Florida ranks among the many prime states the place kids drown in swimming pools, Marceno stated.
• Keep swimming pools barricaded with fencing or sensors on sliding doorways.
• Teach your youngsters at a really younger age how you can swim. Don’t be afraid to introduce them to the water. Florida is a peninsula surrounded by nothing however water. Accidents can occur out of nowhere.

What is most necessary is to be educated as a result of a drowning is a “horrific” and “life-changing” incident to witness, Marceno stated.

The sheriff’s workplace has its personal marine unit that has obtained intensive specialised coaching to execute rescue missions for individuals who could also be caught or misplaced in Lee County waters, in addition to conduct investigations and patrol the waterways.

The unit additionally has practically 20 boats geared up with superior state-of-the-art expertise to search out boaters/swimmers within the water.

“No matter what we have to go against, we’re going out there in full force … we’re ready for the littlest call up to the worst call we could possibly have,” Marceno stated.

The News-Press had the chance to board one of many marine unit’s patrol boats and witness firsthand what marine unit deputies do.

That boat was a 36-foot Life Proof boat, which is designed to have the ability to deal with any vary of circumstances.

Capt. Chris Nyce of the LCSO marine unit steered the boat previous Sanibel Island and down the Gulf, alongside Fort Myers Beach.

While driving, Nyce echoed the sheriff’s sentiment in that remaining uneducated is the largest mistake to make in terms of the water.

Gesturing to an space the place a number of jet skis may very well be seen rushing throughout the waves, Nyce mentions the minimal coaching and tutorial that jet ski renters obtain and when somebody on a jet ski doesn’t know what the foundations are, accidents can occur.

There are massive indicators and buoys positioned in varied areas all through the water which are supposed to point out to boaters and jet skiers that they’re idle pace zones solely.

Sgt. Matt Ansell, who was additionally aboard the boat, stated that there’s a number of the reason why it is crucial for boats to heed the idle pace zones.

Slower boats save manatee lives

For one, manatees are sometimes seen all through Lee County waters, each salt and recent. Manatees get hit by boat propellers and die from the impression.

The FWC has carried out a number of manatee rescue missions in Lee County already this yr.

Another motive is the massive wakes the boats create can push docked boats or trigger property injury to waterside properties.

The areas close by the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina and the DiamondHead Beach Resort at Fort Myers Beach incessantly see rushing boaters, so the marine unit typically focuses their patrol efforts in these areas, Ansell stated.

Lee County ranks third within the state for probably the most registered boats, at practically 50,000, Nyce stated.

Boat site visitors is at an all-time excessive because the area begins to see extra individuals completely shifting to Florida from up north and bringing their boats with them.

The primary mistake made by boaters is “just a lack of knowledge,” and it may be one thing as minor as not understanding who has the proper of manner.

Something so simple as a four-hour boater security class can save lives.

“The water doesn’t lose,” Marceno stated.

Tayeba Hussein is a breaking information reporter for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach her at thussein@usatodayco.com.

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