Rip Current — Saipan, Guam

2003-08-10 · near Countywide, Saipan, Guam

Wider weather episode

Four people got caught in strong rip currents in Saipan. Three boys tried to rescue a tourist who was swept up in strong currents and in the end they became swept up in these currents too. 36 year old Japanese tourist Suzuki Shizuka was swimming near Aquarius Hotel beach side at about 1200 when the strong currents drove her to deep water outside the reef line. Shizuka tried to swim back but was unable to get into the shallow water so she shouted for help. Three boys, two 13 year olds and one 12 year old, were in the area and they jumped into the water to rescue her. The boys and the tourist could not get back to the shore because of the strong current. The four, however, managed to hold onto a buoy until two men on jet skis arrived to rescue them. Saipan Watercraft jet ski operators Martin Landon and Joe Nekefes heard the call for help of the four victims. Department of Public Safety spokesmen Jason Tarkong said that although the minors were not able to leave the water due to strong currents, they were able to help the tourist and prevented her from drowning and being dragged out to the open sea. Department of Public Safety officers and medics also arrived and assisted the victims, who were all found to be in good health. The strong currents were caused by long period swells generated Typhoon Etau, which moved through the Western Pacific during the first week of August.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5338228. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.