Unsafe Gulf of Mexico for Memorial Day Holiday Weekend

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Posted: 9:18 PM May 24, 2008
Last Updated: 5:07 PM May 25, 2008

7 comments

70 rescues

100 rescues

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Panama City Beach Police, Bay County Sheriff's Deputies and Paramedics from Bay County E-M-S say Saturday was one of the busiest rescue days on record.

At last count there were 70 water rescues locally, Panama City Beach Police had 40 calls and the Bay County Sheriff's office had 30.

It started around 9:30 AM Saturday morning and went on all day into the evening hours.

A special water rescue team started by Bay Medical Center was extremely busy, as were police and deputies. The Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation Commission and the U-S Coast Guard also assisted.

The rip currents are also blamed for the disappearance of one male in the Laguna Beach area. The search for him continues Saturday night. The unidentified male has been missing since early afternoon.

Capt. Joe Cocco of the Panama City Beach Fire Department told us early in the afternoon he had a bad feeling.

"Oh we've been on numerous calls. Many at the same time. Two and three people in the water, calls for distress. So fortunately nobody drowned so far today looks like its going to be a real busy day here on the beach," Coco said.

Double red flag are up at Panama City Beach meaning the gulf water is closed to swimmers, bathers and beach goers.

The best advise, stay out of the water.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Jordan's Family Location: Trussville, Alabama on May 27, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Thank you!!! to those in KY and TN who tried in vain to save my grandson, our hearts are broken but we want to say GOD BLESS each of you.

Posted by: john Location: pc on May 26, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Lifeguards! duh

Posted by: Tina Cook Location: Jasper Alabama on May 25, 2008 at 11:28 PM
IF YOU NEW THE WATER WERE SO RUFF WHY DID YOU CONTINUE LETTING PEOPLE SWIM. MY 21 YEAR OLD COUSIN IS STILL MISSING IN THE BEACH. PLESE KEEP THESE KIDS OUT OF THE WATER.GET LIFEGAURDS -- SAVE LIVES. A MOTHER HAS LOST HER SON. HOW PLEASE FIND HIM...

Posted by: Carol Location: Panama City,Florida on May 25, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Okay, Double Red Flags, the jet skis, are out there, Parasails, and the ones pulling the bannana boats, that doesnt send much of a message.

Posted by: Cassie Location: beach on May 25, 2008 at 10:39 AM
what part of double red flags do people NOT understand? I just don't get it???

Posted by: Christina Location: KY on May 25, 2008 at 10:09 AM
The whole story about the missing man from May 24 is not being shared (possibly because of athorities). My brother and his friend were there are tried to save this 21 year-old kid. My brother and his friends were on the beach and my brother heard someone screaming, "help, help, I'm dieing". Mr brother is not one who thinks before he reacts and he jumped into the crashong waves and began swimming toward the young man. He did not know that his friend had followed him out as well. He reached the young man (my brother is only 23 himself), but the boy kept fighting and pulling the two guys down. My brother told me that a big wave hit them again and seperated him and his friend. He said there was a sheriff boat and helicoptors flying above, but no one did anything to help. My brother was getting weaker and weaker trying to get the kid to calm down and float. Telling him that if they could just float someone would come get them. No one did and the boy kept fighting. My brother's...

Posted by: Ryan Location: Panama City on May 25, 2008 at 08:28 AM
The flag system should be advisory not manditory. What it's not taking into account are the varied skill levels of the swimmers. The water is always going to be dangerous to a weak swimmer, and not always dangerous, regardless of flags to a strong swimmer. Also, how do these rules apply to Scuba divers and surfers?