Beach visitors risk 'arrest' for swimming without lifeguard following tragic incident

Following a dramatic rescue earlier this week in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, local officials are announcing they will be strictly enforcing after-hours beach time. 

Six individuals were caught in a rip current at Webster Avenue Beach about 100 yards offshore, according to the Jersey Shore Fire Response. (See the video at the top of this article.)  

Mayor Anthony Vaz clarified to Fox News Digital that they will not be closing the beaches - but the ocean. 

"Our focus is the ocean. We don't want anybody in the ocean," said Vaz.

Seaside Heights will be adding more law enforcement to enforce the rule, it also said.

"They'll be there the rest of the season, chasing people out of the water at five o'clock," said Vaz.

"If [people] refuse to get out, we'll [give them a summons]. And if they get really arrogant - I hope not - they'll be arrested," he said. 

Other beaches across the country have been implementing similar plans due to safety concerns. 

In December, Virginia Beach officials ruled that lifeguards would remain on their stands longer, extending through the second weekend of September, following three deaths last fall, according to local outlet 13 News Now.

The rule states that violators could be punished with a fine of under $500 or by imprisonment in the county jail (not to exceed 60 days) or both, according to its government site.

It also states that any person rescued in the Gulf of America will be banned from returning for 24 hours.

Tom Gill, United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) vice president, told Fox News Digital that it's important for visitors to "only swim when lifeguards are on duty."

"One reason beaches set swimming hours is to provide specific times when swimmers will be protected by lifeguards on duty," said Gill.

"The USLA has determined the chance of a fatal drowning on a guarded beach is 1 in 18 million," he said. 

"Besides the safety aspect, the cost and resources required to initiate a full drowning response after hours also factor into the decision-making."