As temperatures warm up, there's a cold water warning for beach goers

MARSHFIELD, Mass. — The weekend weather forecast is looking solid with lots of sun and warmer temperatures. Harbormasters are bracing for a busy weekend.

But the biggest concern is people ending up in the water -- with the water temperatures still in the 50s.

"It's 80 degrees now but the water temp is still deeply hypothermic weather in the water," Marshfield Harbormaster Officer Mike DiMeo said.

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DiMeo said the water temperature usually gets up around 72 degrees on the surface at the height of the season.

"The water is colder. It is the start of the season so people are sometimes a little rusty with their boats," he said.

Officials say people often get into trouble at the start of the season when they get stuck or have an issue, and they realize they may have to go into the water.

"Things happen quick on the water," DiMeo said.

DiMeo, who is also a commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, says there's a big push for people to afix emergency contact labels on kayaks, canoes and paddle boards so if one breaks free, search crews determine quickly if someone is in trouble.

"Or if we call this number and you don't answer or your loved one doesn't answer we can ramp up for operational search and rescue," DiMeo said.

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But even with the frigid water temperatures, some are taking a try to make it feel like summer as June weather moves in.

"It's a little cold but as you can see everyone is down here with their bathing suits. They even have sweatshirts on," said Maren Mellon of Duxbury.

"It's definitely coldest putting your feet in but then you kind of warm up to it," said Sebastian Taylor of Duxbury.

The contact labels are available at all Coast Guard stations and at many local police departments.

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