NH State Parks

August 01. 2012 7:55PM

Green is out at state beaches

By GRETYL MACALASTER
Union Leader Correspondent

Green flags will no longer fly at New Hampshire state beaches, as the state cautions that there are always risks associated with swimming in the ocean. (Gretyl Macalaster/Union Leader Correspondent)

RYE — Rich Shara of Nashua had not even noticed the yellow cautionary flags waving from the back of two lifeguard stands at Wallis Sands Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

“Frankly, I didn't even know they had flags color-coded for different things, so that's kind of embarrassing,” said Shara, who added that he is “old enough to know better.”

But it may be because the cautionary yellow flag has been the typical flag flown while lifeguards are on duty at New Hampshire state beaches for at least the last two years, according to state park officials.

Under the advisement of the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation did away with green flags entirely at least two years ago, but spokesperson Amy Bassett said they never really used them anyway.

“Since we put up the flags, truly, we've never really used the green,” Bassett said.

The color-coded flag system was implemented after two Massachusetts men drowned and several others were caught in a riptide at Hampton Beach during Fourth of July weekend in 2005.

A parks department beach sign says the green flag denotes a low level of hazard with calm conditions, and that swimmers should exercise caution. A yellow flag means medium hazard with moderate surf and/or currents, and a red flag means high hazard, with high surf and/or strong currents.

Bassett said the flag system is one of several efforts the state implemented to improve the information given to beachgoers about conditions in the water.

Flying the yellow flag is another cautionary reminder that swimming in the ocean always comes with risks.

“It was an inherent decision among the management of parks to say this is the way we want it. We feel there is always that potential for inherent danger,” Bassett said. “The ocean can change quickly, the weather can change quickly, so let people be prepared and maintain that thought process to pay attention.”

People at Wallis Sands beach on Wednesday seemed surprised that a green flag is never flown, especially as a large metal sign on the bathhouse details the green, yellow and red color-coded flag system.

“It reminds me a little too much of the alert system after 9/11. It is a slightly stressful color in a way,” Kathy Fitzgerald, a resident of New Rochelle, N.Y., and a graduate of Manchester West High School, said.

Her husband, Mark Gombiner, said as he walked along the beach with Fitzgerald on Wednesday that he thinks most people understand that going into the water poses risks.

Bassett said not everyone who visits the beach understands the risks. She hopes the yellow flag causes people to stop and pay attention.

“It's the ocean. It's Mother Nature. You never know when things can change, and things change quickly, so we've said that that's an inherent risk,” Bassett said. “Things do happen and we want to make sure people are taking that extra step to be prepared.”

Theresa Fitzsimmons of Lowell, Mass., said she thinks the system might be too vague. Fitzsimmons said she and her husband often take day trips to spend time at the beach, but do not spend time in the water.

“As long as people understand that that's the way it is and people are more cautious,” Fitzsimmons said. “You can't be too careful.”

Bassett said the signage at the newly redeveloped Hampton Beach State Park does not include the green flag, and signage at other state beaches, including Wallis Sands, will be upgraded by next season.

Lifeguards at Wallis Sands beach said they do get asked about the yellow flags.

Bassett said she is glad to hear it.

“I actually think it is great that people are recognizing it and they are asking,” Bassett said.