Dangers Lurk at Surf side

ing creates fast running water, I would strongly advise against swimming there.” Also urging people not to swim in the area is Petty OTficer Howie of the Townsends Inlet Coast Guard Station: “With all the traffic and the general conditions in the inlet, I do not advise anyone to

swim."

THE BOROUGH HAS posted signs warning people not to bathe or swim, and the beach patrol has placed two lifeguards approximately 300 yards apart whose specific job is to stop people from swimming in the area. But some people refuse to cooperate. According t6 Avalon surfer Greg Lawson, on June 14 several surfrs approached a lifeguard to ask permission to> surf. The lifeguard declined and directed the group to the designated surfboarding area on30th St. The surfers persisted, paddling their boards out very close to the rock jetty. Several lifeguards were forced to remove the surfers from the area. The inlet is particularly good for surfing and many other forms of recreation. When the south beaches are crowded, the sun

SOME OF THE DANGERS arc shown In this sketch of the Townsend Inlet section of the Avalon beachfront.

(From Pagel)

versa for the outgoing tide. That doesn't sound like much but it is very strong. During the tide transitional period, turbulent flow is created. Water begins moving in random motion rather than flowing in one direction. This produces eddies and swirling currents which are dangeroas. My strongest advice to the public is simply not

to swim there."

Bernie Moore, bureau chief of the Div. of Coastal Eroineering in the Dept, of Environmental Protection, is responsible for dredging Townsends Inlet, which runs next to ' the northern-most beaches in

Avalon.

“IN TWO WEEKS my people v/ill be surveying the inlet to see if it is safe for boating," he said. I believe it is — at least I haven’t received any bad reports or complaints. As for swimming, I would not recommend it in Townsends Inlet. It is too dangerous. A swimmer would be taking one helluva risk." Sgt. Richard Groch, station commander of North Wildwood Marine Law Enforcement Bureau, agrees. "Because the shoal-

Higbees Plan Due

COURT HOUSE - Its been a long time in coming, but the final management plan for Higbees Beach should be completed by March. The Cape May County Planning Board was told June 15 by Warren Kell, an assistant biologist with the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife that completion of the management plan has been delayed by personnel changes in the division. Kell replaced state biologist Raymond Sayre in February. Sayre, in addition to his other duties, had been respon-

Chopper Crashes (From Page l) 22, of Jacksonville, N.C., an aviation machinist mate second class. SURVIVORS, who were reported to be in good condition are Cmdr. Charles Fontz, the 35-year-old pilot, of Virginia Beach, Va.; Lt. (j.g.) Gary Bowser, 24, or Niagara Falls, N.Y., the co-pilot; and Edward, 22, an aviation electronics mate second class, of Fox River Grove, III. According to eyewitnesses, shortly after the crash at least two large pieces of the downed helicopter began floating eastward along the beachfront with the outgoing tide. The smell of oil fuel from the wreckage was noticeable near the crash site. Low tide was shortly after 2:10 p.m.. and after the tide turned, pieces of the wreckage began moving westward, around the end of the Second Ave. jetty. ONE EYEWITNESS account came from Ray Leone of Collingswood. who was fishing on the jetty when the crash occurred. "I saw the tailend wavering about four times in the air," he said. "It came down first and as soon as it hit water, it busted apart and I heard a boom. ” “Buz" Mogck. who heads the beach patrol, said he saw the helicopter “flutter Muziani Wavering i From Pc\ge 1) Hurley. R-Capc May/Cumberland. UNDER THE BILL, the new drinking age would become effective in January 1983. Those already 19 by that time, would be permitted to continue drinking. The proposed change in drinking age is being opposed by owners of Cape May County bars and liquor establishments — many of which have a young clientel. More than 150 traveled to Trenton June 10 in an attempt to convince senators to vote down the bill, which they contend will strike a severe blow to Cape May County’s

economy.

sible for completing the report. THE PLAN — due since 1978 when 450 acres of Lower Twp. bay front was purchased for a wildlife management area — is of significant interest to county environmentalists. Groups including the Cape May County Environmental Council and the Citizens Assn, for the Protection of the Environment have opposed the interim management plan which allows a limited degree of hunting in the area. They contend this is incompatible with protection of endangered species. in Surf a little bit" and then come down.^Ie said the pilot had no control as the craft descended. James Mandes of Hershey, Pa. was sunbathing when he saw the helicopter “straight east of Cape May. It looked out of control. You could really tell it was in trouble," he said. A NAVY INVESTIGATION to determine the cause of the crash has begun, and Coast Guard salvage operations continue Among several Coast Guard craft dispatched to the scene was the 180 ft. buoy tender, CGC Hornbeam, which returned to Cape May Station after the current picked up and precluded safe maneuverability by the cutter, that was closer to shore than it normally works. The cutter was to have been back on scene yesterday morning at slack high tide to retrieve the main parts of the wreckage, which had been marked with buoys over night. The main section of the helicopter was believed on the bottom in about 20 ft. of water. At least one smaller Coast Guard craft stood by over the wreckage all night. SMALLER PIECES of the helicopter were retrieved either in the water or after floating ashore Monday afternoon. Patrols of volunteer firemen and Coast Guard personnel searched the tideline until dusk for even the smallest pieces of wreckage. The search extended all the way around the tip of Cape May Point to Alexander Ave. on the Delaware Bayside. Meanwhile, at the biweekly meeting of the Cape May City governing body Monday night. Councilman Harry Gilbert lauded city police and lifeguards for their efforts at the crash scene. "They did an outstanding job. I'm extremely proud of them." the councilman

said

Also contributing to this report were John Andrus III, John Andrus II, and Robert Shiles.

bathers from the inlet hotels simply walk across the rocks and lay out around the perimeter of the natural lagoon that has been formed by the shifting currents. Fisherman, shell collectors and boaters also recreate in the lagoon area THE TIDAL CURRENT digs its own channel which runs precariously close to the beach. It is this sudden drop off that prestfits a major problem The depth can change abruptly from 2 feet to 11 feet. ’ "Waves break sideways heading into the

15 inlet unlikV^ normal b« ach where they rush directly onshore," said Lt. Flory. "People have been pulled right put into the open ocean " And as if all these hazards weren't enough, otd pilings from the '62 storm are exposed in the area during low tide At high tide Iho pilings are under water, presenting a hidden danger to' bathers unawarf' of their location. —Terry Xu/thes is a freelance writer and ovid suffer himself

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