Great White Shark Alert: Veterans Beach Safety Guide

Great White Shark Alert: What Coastal Veterans and Families Should Know

A surge in great white shark activity along the Northeast coast—including an incident where a 71-year-old veteran lifeguard was pulled underwater by a shark—has prompted beach closures and safety warnings from Maine to Massachusetts. Coastal veterans and military families should stay informed, follow local advisories, and take precautions when entering the ocean this summer.

Quick Facts

Recent Shark Activity: What’s Happening

Maine: Epicenter of the Surge

Maine has experienced an extraordinary spike in great white shark sightings this summer, with multiple beaches affected:

• Scarborough Beach State Park: A 71-year-old veteran lifeguard, Greg Wilfert, was pulled underwater when a great white shark grabbed his rescue torpedo. He was dragged 5 to 6 feet below the surface before freeing himself and swimming to safety . Over a dozen shark sightings were reported in the area .

• Wells Beach: Closed to swimming after a 10-foot juvenile great white was spotted within 500 yards of shore .

• Biddeford Beaches: Swimming prohibited after a shark sighting near Granite Point and Timber Point .

• Pine Point Beach: Nearly a dozen young sharks were spotted in early August .

What officials are saying: Scarborough’s Marine Resources Officer Daryen Granata noted, “Usually we’ll see one or two here and there. This is a large volume, larger than I’ve seen, and I’ve worked this area for 30-plus years” .

Why the Surge Now?

Experts point to two key factors:

1. Warming waters: New England Aquarium adjunct scientist John Chisholm noted that the region’s waters have warmed at an unprecedented rate, potentially attracting more sharks .

2. Seal populations: Great whites are hunting seals close to shore. The lifeguard’s rescue torpedo may have been mistaken for a seal from below—consistent with the “mistaken identity” theory of shark attacks .

What veterans should do: If you’re visiting coastal areas in Maine, Massachusetts, or other Northeast beaches, check local advisories before entering the water. Pay attention to lifeguards and beach officials.

Great White Shark Facts and Behavior

What to Know About Great Whites

Great white sharks are apex predators that can grow up to 20 feet in length. They are found in coastal waters worldwide and are particularly active in New England during summer months when seals are present.

Key facts:

• Great whites likely have poor vision and are color blind 

• They rely on detecting silhouettes against the lighter surface to hunt

• Attacks on humans are often cases of “mistaken identity”—sharks may confuse surfers or swimmers with seals 

• The snout is the shark’s most sensitive area; striking it may deter an attack 

Bull Sharks: Another Concern

While great whites are the primary focus along the Northeast, bull sharks are considered the most dangerous to humans due to their aggressive nature and ability to swim in freshwater . They prefer coastal waters off the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico and have been spotted as far inland as the Mississippi River and Florida Everglades.

How to Stay Safe: Shark Safety Guidelines

Beach Safety Rules

Follow these guidelines to reduce your risk:

What to Do in an Encounter

If you encounter a shark:

• Don’t panic – Erratic movements can attract sharks

• Maintain eye contact – Sharks may be deterred if they know they’re being watched 

• Back away slowly – Move toward shore or a boat without splashing

• Defend yourself – If attacked, aim for the eyes, gills, or snout (the most sensitive areas) 

Understanding Flags and Warnings

Beaches use flag systems to warn swimmers:

• Purple flag: Marine life present (stingrays, jellyfish, sharks). Exercise caution and stay close to lifeguards .

• Red/Yellow flag: Swimming only in designated areas; consult lifeguards before entering .

What veterans should do: Check beach flags and advisories before entering the water. If a purple flag is flying, stay close to shore and follow lifeguard instructions.

The Lifeguard’s Survival Story

Greg Wilfert: 55 Years of Experience

Greg Wilfert, 71, has been a lifeguard for 55 years—and he says he’s never felt anything like the force of the great white that pulled him underwater .

His account:
“I thought I got caught in a boat propeller and it pulled me under and I realized when I was going under there was no boat. And I knew what it was, I knew it was a great white” .

The rescue torpedo attached to him by a strap was what the shark grabbed. Wilfert slipped out of the harness, swam to the surface, and “beelined it” for shore . A bystander reported seeing the torpedo fly 4 to 5 feet out of the water after Wilfert escaped .

His advice: “You still can have fun at the beach but play it safe. Stay close to shore, you don’t need to go out into the deep water, you’re asking for trouble” .

What’s Being Done to Reduce Risk

New Technology: LED Lights

Australian researchers have discovered that LED lights on the underside of surfboards or watercraft may deter great white sharks .

How it works:

• Lights break up the silhouette of the object, making it unrecognizable as prey 

• The brighter the light, the better the deterrent effect 

• Scientists are testing surfboard prototypes with fitted lighting 

Limitations: The research focused on moving decoys; effectiveness for stationary objects or other shark species is still being studied .

Risk Management for Military Families

The Army’s risk management framework provides useful guidance for any water activity :

1. Identify hazards: Is there anything in the water that can hurt you?

2. Assess hazards: Pay attention to warnings and local expertise.

3. Develop controls: If sharks are present, plan to stay out of the water.

4. Implement controls: Follow safety rules and beach advisories.

5. Supervise and evaluate: Monitor conditions and adjust plans as needed.

Common Questions

Are shark attacks common in Maine?

No. Only 11 unprovoked attacks have been reported in New England since 1837 . However, shark sightings have surged dramatically this summer, with officials reporting more activity in a single week than in prior years.

What should I do if a shark is spotted near me?

Exit the water calmly but quickly. Report the sighting to a lifeguard or official. If you’re in the water, maintain eye contact with the shark and back away slowly toward shore or a boat.

Why are there more sharks in Maine this year?

Experts point to warming waters and abundant seal populations. New England Aquarium adjunct scientist John Chisholm noted the region’s waters have warmed at an unprecedented rate . The seal population has also grown, attracting more sharks.

What does the purple flag mean at the beach?

A purple flag indicates “marine life present”—which can include sharks, jellyfish, or stingrays. When the purple flag flies, swim with caution, stay close to shore, and follow lifeguard instructions .

Can LED lights really prevent shark attacks?

Research suggests LED lights on the underside of watercraft can break up the silhouette that sharks associate with prey, reducing attacks by 40% or more . Surfboard prototypes with lights are being tested, but the technology is not yet widely available.

What’s the most dangerous shark species?

Bull sharks are considered the most dangerous to humans due to their aggressive nature and ability to swim in both salt and freshwater . Great whites are also dangerous, but many attacks are thought to be cases of mistaken identity .

Is it safe to swim in Maine right now?

Maine beaches remain open with increased precautions. Lifeguards are on duty, and swimming is permitted but with advisories: stay close to shore, avoid swimming near seals or fish schools, and follow all lifeguard instructions.

What should veterans and military families do before visiting a beach?

Check local beach advisories and flag conditions. Be aware of recent shark sightings in the area. Plan to swim only in designated areas with lifeguards present.

Key Takeaways

• Shark sightings have surged along the Northeast coast this summer, with Maine experiencing unprecedented activity .

• A 71-year-old veteran lifeguard survived a close encounter when a great white grabbed his rescue torpedo and pulled him underwater .

• Multiple Maine beaches have been closed or restricted, including Scarborough, Wells, and Biddeford .

• Warming waters and abundant seal populations are the primary drivers of increased shark activity .

• Follow safety guidelines: Stay close to shore, avoid swimming near seals or fish schools, don’t swim alone, and obey lifeguards .

• Purple flags indicate marine life presence—exercise caution when they’re flying .

• Bull sharks are considered the most dangerous species due to aggressive behavior; great white attacks are often mistaken identity .

• New LED light technology may reduce shark attack risk but is not yet widely available .

• The Army’s risk management framework can help military families assess and mitigate shark risks before water activities .

• Shark attacks remain rare, but vigilance is essential with increased sightings.

Official Resources

Beach Safety and Advisories

• National Weather Service – Beach Hazards: www.weather.gov/beach

• Maine Beaches (State Park Info): www.maine.gov/dacf/parks

Marine Life Information

• Atlantic White Shark Conservancy – Sharktivity App: www.atlanticwhiteshark.org

• New England Aquarium: www.neaq.org

Military and Veterans Resources

• VA Health Care: www.va.gov/health-care

• VA Benefits Hotline: 800-827-1000