A Maine lifeguard got the scare of his life when a shark suddenly grabbed his rescue gear and dragged him underwater at a popular beach already on high alert over a surge in great white sightings.
Greg Wilfert was swimming with fellow lifeguards during a shark patrol at Scarborough Beach State Park around 1 p.m. over the weekend when the terrifying encounter unfolded.
According to Scarborough Harbormaster and Marine Resource Officer Daryen Granata, the shark latched onto Wilfert’s rescue device, which was connected to him by a rope wrapped around his chest.
Within seconds, Wilfert was yanked roughly six feet below the surface.
“I thought I was caught by the propeller of a boat because that’s the only thing I could think of until I realized there was no boat,” Wilfert told WGME.
Realizing something was badly wrong, the lifeguard quickly removed the strap attaching him to the rescue device.
“All I did was pull off the strap and get to the surface and swim as fast as I could,” he said.
Wilfert managed to break free and race back toward shore without suffering any injuries.
Witnesses, however, got a dramatic look at just how powerful the encounter was.
Scarborough Police said one person saw the lifeguard’s rescue torpedo suddenly shoot an estimated six to eight feet into the air as Wilfert scrambled toward safety.
Although he escaped physically unharmed, officials said Wilfert was understandably “shaken up.”
Even more remarkable, Granata said the lifeguard was already back on the job by Sunday.
Scarborough Beach was temporarily closed for about an hour after Wilfert reported the encounter before reopening.
The frightening incident comes as authorities are keeping an especially close eye on the waters around Scarborough.
Just days earlier, more than half a dozen white sharks were captured on video swimming near popular beaches in the region during a 48-hour span.
Biologists now believe more than a dozen sharks may be lingering in the area.
The white sharks are believed to be juveniles measuring between six and 12 feet long.
Officials say the animals have been spotted around the sandbar and shallow nearshore waters near both Scarborough Beach and Higgins Beach.
No other shark encounters involving swimmers have been reported, although Scarborough Police said Wilfert’s experience was “very consistent with other activity we have seen.”
Scarborough Beach State Park has substantial shark-monitoring measures already in place.
“Scarborough Beach State Park is a unique area because they have their own lifeguards. They have a few UTVs on the beach. They have a drone up. They have a jetski. They’re very, very aware of what’s going on over there,” Granata said.
Wilfert said lifeguards fly drones roughly every half hour to scan the water.
When sharks are spotted, crews may also deploy a Jet Ski in their direction.
“The sharks don’t like the jetski,” Wilfert said.
The sudden concentration of sharks has also caught the attention of marine experts.
New England Aquarium adjunct scientist John Chisholm said warming ocean temperatures are making New England waters increasingly comfortable for certain shark species.
Seeing white sharks in the region during summer is not necessarily unusual, he explained, but seeing so many in one place has been eye-opening.
“That’s more like numbers we see down when we’re tagging off of the Cape,” Chisholm said.
Authorities are reminding swimmers that the ocean remains a wild environment, regardless of how crowded or familiar a beach may feel.
Experts recommend avoiding areas with seals or large schools of fish, limiting excessive splashing, swimming with other people rather than alone and always following lifeguard instructions.
Beachgoers say the recent shark activity has definitely gotten their attention.
“I don’t want to get eaten, but no problem. Sharks are sharks; they’ll stay out there, and I’ll stay here, no worries,” beachgoer Mark Coleman said.
Biologists and local officials plan to continue closely monitoring the coastline.
Scarborough Beach State Park will remain under a red and yellow alert until shark activity in the area subsides.
“The safety of residents and visitors remains our highest priority,” Scarborough Police said.