Crews rescue several swimmers from rip currents over the weekend

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A Dutch couple is among several people recently rescued from dangerous rip currents at South Florida beaches.

Officials said the number of rescues almost reached two dozen over the weekend. "We had a total of 15 rescues. In other rescues, some had more than one victim, so 23 people were actually pulled out of the water this weekend," said Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue Chief Breck Ballou.

Mike Carlino, a tourist visiting South Florida, struggled with the heavy surf when he tried to take a swim Monday afternoon. "It was very, very strong. Extremely strong," said Carlino.

Scott Reynolds of the Miami-Beach Ocean Rescue asked that those braving the waters be well informed before getting into the water. "You need to heed the warning of the life guards, you need to pay attention to the weather reports, you need to stay close to shore," he said.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Jerry McIntee said his city had about five drowning calls in less than 20 minutes on Sunday alone. "It was just a freak of nature," he said. "The rips kicked in real hard, and there's an awful lot of people who don't understand rip tides in our community and as a result, a lot of people came close to seeing their maker."

A couple from Holland were nearly swept away by rip currents off the Florida coast when crews rushed in to help. McIntee said the couple was lucky fire rescue was on location at the time of the incident. "If we weren't on location at that time, there's no doubt in my mind, that those two people would not be going home," he said.

By Monday, the risk of rip currents had reduced. A yellow flag, which means moderate surf and/or currents is now in effect, but officials urge anyone planning to go to the beach to only swim in areas patrolled by lifeguards. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel with the shore until you are free from the pull of the current.

Lifeguards also raised purple flags to warn about the presence of man-o-war jellyfish in the water.

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