Information 12 | Long Island

A shark sighting quickly compelled swimmers out of the water at a number of Nassau County seashores Thursday, as excessive warmth and the beginning of the Fourth of July vacation weekend drew giant crowds to the shoreline.

A 9-foot shark was noticed about 20 yards offshore at Point Lookout Town Park at roughly 10:15 a.m., prompting lifeguards to clear the water and lift crimson flags. Nearby seashores have been additionally quickly closed as a precaution.

Jennifer Knott, of Oceanside, was on the seaside when the shark was noticed.

“We heard someone yell ‘shark’ to the lifeguards,” Knott mentioned. “About 20 yards out there was a big shark. I’ve been going to the beach my whole life. First time that close. First time ever seeing a shark.”

Town of Hempstead lifeguards responded by deploying Jet Skis and drones to watch the realm. After conducting a search, officers gave the all-clear and reopened the seashores round 11:15 a.m.

Less than an hour later, nevertheless, swimming was suspended once more after the shark was noticed close to Long Beach. Officials additionally closed the water there for about an hour earlier than figuring out it was protected for swimmers to return.

Lifeguard Eamon Flynn mentioned the seaside workers adopted established security procedures instantly after recognizing the animal.

“We blew the whistle. We took the green flags out. We red-flagged the beaches,” Flynn mentioned. “We followed protocol. We’re trained in fin identification. There’s no mistaking that was a shark.”

The sighting comes because the Fourth of July weekend begins and a stretch of utmost warmth sends extra folks to Long Island’s seashores.

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti mentioned lifeguards will stay on heightened alert all through the vacation weekend.

“Safety always comes first,” Ferretti mentioned. “We will make sure we spot them, we identify them and when necessary close the beaches.”

Despite the non permanent closures, many beachgoers mentioned they understood the precautions.

“We are all eager to go back in the water, but none of us want to see a shark,” mentioned Donna Trampas, of Merrick.

By later Thursday, lifeguards had as soon as once more declared the water protected, permitting swimmers to return to the ocean. Officials reminded guests to swim solely at seashores the place lifeguards are on obligation.