Beaches in Rockaway reopened for swimming at 6 p.m. Tuesday night after previously having to be closed earlier in the day after sharks were reportedly seen in the water, according to the NYPD’s 100th Precinct.
According to a Parks Department spokesperson, beaches closed just before 2 p.m. on July 19 after sharks were seen in the waters at Beach 67th Street and Beach 102nd Street.
NYPD Aviation helicopters provided aerial surveillance before the beaches were deemed safe to reopen for swimming, the spokesperson added.
***BREAKING***: As of 6 PM tonight Rockaway beach is now OPEN for swimming 🏊♀️. Please, swim when lifeguards are on duty. Thank you. Have a safe and good evening!!! The beach closure is now fully terminated!!! pic.twitter.com/U54GTntTAG
— NYPD 100th Precinct (@NYPD100Pct) July 19, 2022
One Twitter user, @CoachMissmer, told QNS that while he didn’t see anything, there was concern regarding the shark sightings.
Shark sighting at Rockaway Beach NY. (Yes, an actual shark)
Everyone out of the water…🦈#Jaws pic.twitter.com/y6UOHJZhvb
— Coach Missmer ⚽️🥋 (@CoachMissmer) July 19, 2022
“The NYPD had a chopper flying low and the Parks people had an ATV with a megaphone telling everyone to stay out of the water.”
Tuesday’s shark sightings come two days after the Parks Department closed the east end of the beach for swimming due to “shark activity.” Beaches from Beach Ninth Street to Beach 29th Street were closed from 2:25 to 4:37 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, according to the Parks spokesperson.
This story was updated at 8 p.m. Tuesday night.
