Two weeks after Memorial Day weekend, and as South Jersey faces a heat wave that may break Wednesday, many beaches remain unguarded, creating potential risks for ocean swimmers.

On Monday afternoon, three swimmers were ushered out of the ocean in Brigantine by police after going out too far. The local police and fire departments monitored the situation from the beach, while the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit used a patrol boat to reach the swimmers and guide them back to shore.

Brigantine Fire Chief Tige Platt said the swimmers were not in distress, but were about a half-mile from the shoreline and were unable to hear requests from police and firefighters to return to the beach.

According to Platt, Brigantines beaches are currently guarded only on weekends. Daily patrol wont begin until Monday.

Many other shore towns currently have only partially guarded beaches.

Beach Patrol Lt. Ryan Black said all beaches in Avalon have been open since Memorial Day weekend, but with a lower-than-usual turnout for lifeguard applicants, the patrol is stationed at a few select beaches.

Black said about 13 of Avalons 22 beaches were guarded as of Monday. After rookies lifeguards are trained, beginning next Monday, more patrols are expected to begin.

The Atlantic City Beach Patrol stations are open at all 11 districts, but only 17 beaches are guarded.

On Saturday, several shore towns held lifeguard tryouts, including Atlantic City, Ocean City and Ventnor. Those beach patrols expect to be fully staffed and able to guard all beaches by June 24.

For now, beach patrols advise the public to check listings for open and guarded beaches and not to swim without lifeguards present.

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Swimmers, beware, many South Jersey beaches remain unguarded ... - Press of Atlantic City