Bodies of three rescued from turbulent Atlantic Ocean

[Dolores]

Rescue crews recovered the lifeless bodies of the three missing men from the El Bronx (Marapica) beach in Puerto Plata. The beach is known to be dangerous for swimming and is generally avoided and thus was not even included in the off-limit beach area for Easter Week.

Civil Defense divers recovered on Tuesday, 2 April 2024 the bodies of the three people who were missing since Sunday, 28 March in the waters of the Playa Marapicá or Playa El Bronx, a short drive from Puerto Plata city.

According to Juan Salas, executive director of the Civil Defense, the first body was recovered around 7:05am on Tuesday, the second two hours later and the third in the afternoon on the high seas. Rescue crews had not dared to enter earlier given the weather conditions that resulted in strong waves.

Over the Easter holidays, the Weather Office (Onamet) had banned swimming in...

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[CristoRey]

RIP.

 

[Sol09]

I had seen many news reports that the waters were rough in that area.
Sad that the lifeguard passed away trying to save someone.

 

[MariaRubia]

I agree, it's always sad when you read that someone lost their life trying to save someone else.

 

[Tarheel]

The bodies were not rescued, they were recovered.

 

[Joseph NY2STI]

The beach..... was not even included in the off-limit beach area for Easter Week......Over the Easter holidays, the Weather Office (Onamet) had banned swimming in Puerto Plata beaches due to the strong currents and waves.

This is confusing. Was swimming banned in this area or not?

 

[chico bill]

I had seen many news reports that the waters were rough in that area.
Sad that the lifeguard passed away trying to save someone.

Lifeguards should have floats they tow, be strong and fit swimmers and know the ocean where they work.
Something is not right in the training of this lifeguard if he was official to do lifeguard.

 

[JD Jones]

The beach..... was not even included in the off-limit beach area for Easter Week......Over the Easter holidays, the Weather Office (Onamet) had banned swimming in Puerto Plata beaches due to the strong currents and waves.

This is confusing. Was swimming banned in this area or not

Everyone knows this beach is treacherous and bad for swimming. Swimming is always banned which is why they didn't publish it on their list.

 

[Joseph NY2STI]

Everyone knows this beach is treacherous and bad for swimming. Swimming is always banned which is why they didn't publish it on their list.

Everyone knows.....except the ones who don't. Oh well.

 

[AlterEgo]

Everyone knows.....except the ones who don't. Oh well.

Good point. I’m wondering….. was the lifeguard there off-duty? If beaches are closed/ no swimming, I’m assuming there wouldn’t be any lifeguards. I presume he just happened to be there.

 

[Northern Coast Diver]

Good point. I’m wondering….. was the lifeguard there off-duty? If beaches are closed/ no swimming, I’m assuming there wouldn’t be any lifeguards. I presume he just happened to be there.

It was a Civil Defence volunteer who went in to try to rescue the 2 fools. There was no lifeguard. Marapica is known locally as a dangerous spot when the ocean is rough. Current, rips and undertow, can be found there.

 

[AlterEgo]

It was a Civil Defence volunteer who went in to try to rescue the 2 fools. There was no lifeguard. Marapica is known locally as a dangerous spot when the ocean is rough. Current, rips and undertow, can be found there.

Thanks for the explanation. What a shame.

Very dangerous. If you’re familiar with Santo Domingo malecon… when he was young, Mr AE was caught in a rip current when diving off Playa Guibia. He let it take him along and he ended up by restaurant Vesuvio. Long walk back.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Thanks for the explanation. What a shame.

Very dangerous. If you’re familiar with Santo Domingo malecon… when he was young, Mr AE was caught in a rip current when diving off Playa Guibia. He let it take him along and he ended up by restaurant Vesuvio. Long walk back.

Was it nice back then? Right now, there are very few places on the SD malecon I would go. Of course I mean the beach itself. The sidewalks are fine.

 

[AlterEgo]

Was it nice back then? Right now, there are very few places on the SD malecon I would go. Of course I mean the beach itself. The sidewalks are fine.

Guibia has always been there. Small beach, nothing special, but the only one in SD. He’s always been a swimmer/diver.

 

[MariaRubia]

Guibia has always been there. Small beach, nothing special, but the only one in SD. He’s always been a swimmer/diver.

Funny you should mention that. Yesterday afternoon there were a few fire trucks in the parking lot of Adrian Tropical on the Malecon (next to Guibia) and divers in wet suits running towards the scene. A big crowd was building up. I haven't heard the outcome, but I think the sea there is very dangerous.

 

[chico bill]

Good point. I’m wondering….. was the lifeguard there off-duty? If beaches are closed/ no swimming, I’m assuming there wouldn’t be any lifeguards. I presume he just happened to be there.

Excellent point. If the beach is closed to swimming why post a lifeguard?

Or maybe he was just uncle Tito's cousin who once worked at a summer camp pool. And so he got the moniker of lifeguard?

No trained ocean lifeguard drowns on a rescue since they are trained to have equipment that prevents drowning for them and rescued swimmers.
Not to diminish this man's effort to help save someone - but he wasn't a trained lifeguard, nor even a strong swimmer.

 

[chico bill]

It was a Civil Defence volunteer who went in to try to rescue the 2 fools. There was no lifeguard. Marapica is known locally as a dangerous spot when the ocean is rough. Current, rips and undertow, can be found there.

That makes sense. And person untrained in ocean rescue lost his life, so cudos to him for bravery, as misguided as he was.
In this country there are not many strong swimmers.
Likely a surfer from Encuentro Beach or a fit scuba diver could have navigated the heavy surf but not your average puddle wader from Sosua Beach.

Learn to swim well, be very fit, and don't panic when you get into a rough situation but just don't go if you lack a very strong swimming background.
And don't eat or drink before swimming. I bet 80% of drowning victims in DR are also downing victims. Victims of downing alcohol before drowning.