Rip Current — Guam, Guam

2024-03-17 · Guam, Guam

Event narrative

Guam Fire Department received a call at 1100ChST of distressed swimmers at Ritidian Beach. GFD Rescue, Coast Guard and the Navy's HSC-25 helicopter squadron were on scene to conduct search and rescue operations. When GFD arrived, they learned a 28-year-old man was last seen going over the reef, while two other men who were also with the first swimmer were able to make it back to shore. One of the two men who made it back to shore was transported to Guam Regional Medial City for evaluation, while the other refused any service. The body of the man who went over the reef, was found approximately 25 fee below the surface, at 0809ChST the following day. Ritidian Beach is known for its strong rip currents as the reef line is relatively close to shore and there are large cuts in the reef that favor rip currents.

Wider weather episode

A mix of northerly and easterly swells led to hazardous conditions in the surf zone of Guam.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1170010. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.