ANSWER Team

On Monday, June 15th, between 5:30PM and 8:00PM, the ANSWER Water Rescue Team will be conducting our annual exercise near the south end of Ocean Grove, on the beachfront. Emergency personnel, vehicles, and watercraft will be operating in the area. ***This is only a training exercise, please give our team space to operate.*** The ANSWER Team conducts an annual exercise to ensure we are prepared to protect those who visit the beaches and waterways in Avon, Bradley Beach, Neptune Township (Ocean Grove), Neptune City, and beyond.

The ANSWER Team has responded to several water rescue incidents since the beginning of the season, all of which have been resolved safely, including two swimmers in distress on Monday morning in Bradley Beach. All those visiting the beaches in Ocean Grove, Avon-by-the-Sea, and Bradley Beach are reminded to only swim where permitted, when lifeguards are on-duty. Lifeguards are not on regular duty during the weekdays or after-hours, so please stay out of the water during those times.

If you observe any swimmer or boater who appears to be in distress, whether it is during the day or after-hours, please don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 and provide as much detail as possible.

All those headed to the beaches in Ocean Grove, Avon-by-the-Sea, and Bradley Beach this weekend, please note that there is an increased risk for the development of Rip Currents throughout the weekend. Additionally, temperatures may reach the 90's in some areas and there are several chances for storms, primarily in the evenings. Be sure to monitor your local weather, wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water. Most importantly, only swim where permitted and when lifeguards are on duty. Do not enter the water after hours!

Rip currents can occur at any time, even when seas are calm. If you are caught in a rip current, stay afloat and yell for help. You can also swim parallel to the shore to escape the rip current and allow more time for rescuers to arrive. If you observe any swimmer or boater who appears to be in distress, whether it is during the day or after-hours, please don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 and provide as much detail as possible.

The Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders (ANSWER) Team is an all-volunteer group of over 120 first responders that provides water rescue service to Neptune Township, Ocean Grove Beaches, Shark River, the Shark River Inlet, Neptune City, Avon-by-the-Sea, Bradley Beach, and provides aid to surrounding towns.

All those headed to the beaches in Ocean Grove, Avon-by-the-Sea, and Bradley Beach this weekend, remember that lifeguards are not on regular duty yet. Inexperienced swimmers are urged to stay out of the water, which is a chilly 58 degrees. If you observe any swimmer or boater who appears to be in distress, whether it is during the day or after-hours, please don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 and provide as much detail as possible.

The Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders (ANSWER) Team is an all-volunteer group of over 120 first responders that provides water rescue service to Neptune Township, Ocean Grove Beaches, Shark River, the Shark River Inlet, Neptune City, Avon-by-the-Sea, Bradley Beach, and provides aid to surrounding towns. The team includes rescue swimmers, divers, EMTs, boat and jet ski operators, critical incident stress management professionals, physicians, emergency management personnel, traffic and scene security, drone pilots, police officers, and many other responders. If you're interested in becoming a part of the team, visit: https://joinneptuneoem.org/join-us/

The New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau reminds all boaters of New Jersey’s “Slow Speed/No Wake” rules:

• Title 13:82 1.7 – Speed – No person shall operate a vessel where its speed and/or wake may cause danger or injury to life or limb, or damage to property.

• Title 12:7 45 – Speed of Power Vessels – The speed of power vessels shall at all times be regulated to avoid danger or injury to any craft (floating, moored, anchored, or underway) or to piers, wharfs, bulkheads, draw spans, or other waterfront construction, either directly or by the effect of the wash or wave raised by such vessel.

Reduce speed to slow speed/no wake when passing:

• Any marina, pier, dock, wharf, or abutment within 200 ft (except on Lake Hopatcong, per N.J.A.C. 13:82 3.11)
• Work barges, platforms, or floats actually engaged in work related activity
• Bridge openings of 400 ft or less
• Lagoons, canals, or confined areas less than 200 ft wide
• Vessels not under command
• Emergency vessels displaying sequential flashing or rotating blue lights
• Vessels engaged in Coast Guard recognized activities displaying rotating or sequential flashing red and yellow lights.

Slow down, be respectful — keep our waters safe!

Well, we wish we had a better Memorial Day weekend forecast for you. It will be slightly drier this afternoon for areas around Philly and points north, but Saturday into Sunday is when we are expecting more widespread rain arrives across the region. Warmer temperatures on Monday, but clouds and some showers may stick around.

⚠️ 545PM RADAR UPDATE | Stay weather aware, Jersey Shore. The first severe thunderstorm *warning* just got into Ocean County. Now through 9PM is *peak* time for damaging winds, and these storms have brought it so far.

Now's a good time to take in loose objects and cut large tree limbs that are hanging, ready to fall.