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Public warned of dangerous beach conditions
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Posted on Jan 05 2021
The public is being warned that a beach hazards statement remains in effect through late Friday night on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. A small craft advisory remains in effect until 4pm today, Tuesday.
Based on the information received from the National Weather Service in Guam and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point, dangerous Indo-Pacific men-o-war jellyfish will be found along northeast, east and southeast facing reefs, while dangerous rip currents will be present along east facing reefs.
A high surf advisory was in effect until 8am yesterday morning.
These events will create dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Contact with Indo-Pacific men-o-war, alive or dead, can cause extreme pain.
Residents of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are advised to avoid venturing out near reef lines facing north, east and west. Large breaking waves can knock you down and cause serious injuries. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. Also stay out of the water, especially along northeast, east and southeast-facing beaches and reef lines. If men-o-war are not found along the beach, they could still be out in the water. If stung, take out the tentacles, wash the wound with vinegar and then treat with heat pack.
East winds 15 to 20 knots with frequent gusts of up to 30 knots and seas of 8 to 10 feet will be present in Marianas coastal waters until 4 pm today. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. Strong wind will make navigation difficult and large waves can capsize small craft. A northwest swell will gradually decrease Sunday as easterly trade-wind swell increases.
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions. (PR)
