Search continues for missing swimmer

Sue Doyle

NEWPORT BEACH -- A San Bernardino man pulled into the ocean by a rip

current remained missing Monday after a two-day search on land, sea and

air.

Willie Earl McFarland, 38, did not resurface after a wave crashed over

his head and pulled him underwater Sunday. He was last seen about 100

yards offshore, immediately after three other people caught in the same

rip current were rescued.

Lifeguards continued to search Monday, but authorities said they will

scale back their efforts today.

On Monday, members of McFarland’s family made a somber trip from San

Bernardino to Newport Beach, where they scanned the shore near 56th

Street. They looked out into the area where McFarland was last seen, as

if waiting for a sign.

Family members said they came to the beach to understand his

disappearance and make sense of the tragedy.

Norma Dodd, McFarland’s grandmother, stood with his aunt, Elizabeth

Sneed. Dodd squeezed her walking cane as she gazed at the ocean.

“I just wanted to see what happened here,” Dodd said. “After looking at

the water, I can see there’s no chance for him to survive.”

Rip currents have already claimed a life this year. Last month, Armando

Roman Briseno, 17, of Santa Ana, drowned in a powerful rip current near

Newport Pier while swimming with friends.

Lt. John Blauer of the Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department said it

is frustrating to have two drownings so early in the beach season.

“The swells make for choppy conditions here. It’s great for surfers but

hard for less experienced swimmers,” Blauer said.

However, he said McFarland’s disappearance could have been avoided. Red

flags posted on lifeguard towers Sunday warned swimmers of dangerous

conditions. Authorities rescued 62 people from rip currents that day.

Blauer said 99 percent of all beach rescues are made in response to rip

currents. Last year, one drowning death in Newport Beach was blamed on a

rip current.

Blauer compared the effect of a rip current to swimming in a washing

machine. He recommended that if a swimmer should become caught in a rip

current, he or she should not waste energy fighting the current, but

rather go with the flow and ride it out.

Blauer also warned that danger lurks in different areas. Some sections of

the beach are more susceptible to rip currents than others.

The beach just a couple miles north of the pier has stronger surf

conditions and requires more rescues than other spots on the coastline,

Blauer said. The areas around 32nd, Orange and 56th streets are other

problem spots -- because of rip currents and because they are not central

locations, making it difficult to patrol.

Be it rip currents or other dangerous water conditions, swimmers should

watch for posted flags to gauge surf conditions. Green flags indicate

safe waters. Yellow flags remind swimmers to use caution. Red flags mean

danger arises with every step a person takes in the water.

“Go out and it’s only knee-deep. But just remember that with the next

step, water could be up to your chest or higher,” Blauer said. “Then a

current could pull you under. That’s when people panic.”