I wanted to write to you to with praise for the Warren’s Point Beach Club lifeguarding team and their director, Mr. Fennessey.

This past Sunday my husband Tim and I walked to Tappen’s Beach in the late morning. The surf was extremely rough and the waves were enormous. We arrived at Tappen’s Beach and witnessed a team of young lifeguards pulling in two swimmers on a tow line. At first we assumed it was a lifeguarding drill, but quickly we realized that there was a serious emergency. Mr. Fennessey was in charge, and navigated a broken tow line and a coordinated effort to rescue the two drowning swimmers from a severe rip tide. Two lifeguards stayed with the handicapped swimmers, while two more guards swam out with buoys. Then a team of lifeguards on the shore pulled in the swimmers on the tow line. It took six to seven extremely strong and fit guards to pull in that tow line through the ripe tide.

While the situation was clearly critical, Mr. Fennessey oversaw and directed the operation with calm and confidence. When the swimmers finally made it to shore, they were overwhelmed with fear and emotion. Mr. Fennessey made sure they were attended to, his exhausted guards were supported and emergency services called.

I had to hunt around to find Mr. Fennessey’s name, but I wanted to acknowledge and give testimony to his — and his team’s — extraordinary efforts to return this couple to safety. As a former lifeguard myself on Rhode Island beaches, this was a terrifying situation that could have ended very badly. Thanks to Mr. Fennessey and his guards, all were rescued and should be acknowledged for their bravery and grace under pressure. 

Thank you for reading this letter.

Isabella Ehrlich

Cambridge, Ma.