. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. a c k talk Coastwatch wants to hear from you on topics relating to the North Carolina coast. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and should contain the author's name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for style. Send all correspondence to Coastwatch, UNC Sea Grant, Box 8605, State University, Raleigh, NC 27695. Opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of UNC Sea Grant employees and staff. Ocean Waters Ripe for Rip Currents Drowning has already claimed a few li
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. a c k talk Coastwatch wants to hear from you on topics relating to the North Carolina coast. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and should contain the author's name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for style. Send all correspondence to Coastwatch, UNC Sea Grant, Box 8605, State University, Raleigh, NC 27695. Opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of UNC Sea Grant employees and staff. Ocean Waters Ripe for Rip Currents Drowning has already claimed a few lives along the North Carolina coast this summer. Sea Grant agent Spencer Rogers says interest is piqued about rip currents, often to blame for beach drownings. We thought this would be a good time to answer any questions you might have about these potentially dangerous currents. With a little knowledge and caution, tragedies can be averted. Often mistakenly called undertows, these strong currents can pull even experienced swimmers away from shore. Too often, the results are panic and drowning. Rip currents are formed when water rushes out to sea in a narrow path. This happens when there is a break in a nearshore sandbar or the current is diverted by a groin, jetty or other barrier. Rip currents can extend 1,000 feet offshore, can reach 100 feet in width and can travel up to 3 mph. Some are present a few hours; others are permanent. Rip currents are more prevalent after storms, but can occur anytime. Learn to identify the telltale signs of rip currents: • A difference in water color (either murkier from sediments or darker from greater depth). • A difference in the waves — larger, choppier waves in the rip current; smaller, calmer waves in front of the bar. • Foam or objects moving steadily seaward. • An offshore plume of turbid water past the sandbars. A pair of polarized sunglasses cuts the glare and helps spot rip currents. If you become caught in a rip current, don'
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