NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa explains the new safety protocols that were followed before beaches reopened Aug. 9 after an Astoria woman was bitten by a shark in Arverne Monday evening.
Screenshot via Twitter
The city’s Parks Department reopened the beaches along the 10-mile stretch of the Rockaways Wednesday morning after a thorough search of the shoreline determined it was safe to allow swimmers back into the water. The FDNY and NYPD used drone technology to ensure the shoreline was clear after an Astoria woman was bitten by a shark on Monday evening.
FDNY officials provide update on drone beach survey in Queens https://t.co/J1Tncc939S
— FDNY (@FDNY) August 9, 2023
“Drone and harbor unit surveillance this morning did not observe any shark sightings,” a Parks spokesperson said. “Rockaway Beach opened on time today at 10 a.m. NYC Parks, NYPD and FDNY will continue land, drone and boat surveillance on Rockaway Beach throughout the day and into the evening.”
The interagency effort will continue each day, at least one hour prior to the opening of NYC public beaches for the remaining weeks of the summer swim season. The FDNY and NYPD will utilize drone technology to conduct surveillance around swimming areas to monitor for sharks. If no sharks are spotted in the hour prior to lifeguards going on duty, beaches will open to the public as scheduled. If during the surveillance period, a shark is spotted, the beach will remain closed for at least one hour after the last sighting of shark activity.
While beaches are open to swimming, the Parks Department, FDNY, and NYPD will conduct surveillance from the land, drones, and vessels to ensure the safety of patrons in the water. While swimming is prohibited at New York City beaches after 6:00 pm, out of an abundance of caution, drone surveillance will continue each night until dusk.
The new safety protocols were implemented Aug. 9 after the 65-year-old woman was bitten by a shark…
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