Fifty-six lifeguards from 18 different agencies around the state filled in for Cape May’s beach patrols Friday so they could go to the funeral of their 16-year-old colleague who died on duty.
Norman Inferrera — a high school student from Phoenixville, Pa. — was patrolling the waters off the Reading Avenue Beach last week to keep swimmers close to shore when his boat flipped over. He hit his head and lost consciousness, his family said, and later died at Cooper University Medical Center in Camden.
“The Cape May lifeguards came back after the funeral and it was just hugs and appreciation and just a lot of bonding together,” said Sea Girt Lifeguard Chief Tim Harmon. “It was a very, very moving experience and — personally and professionally — extremely gratifying to be able to help those guys out.”
Ocean City Beach Patrol Operations Chief Mark Jamieson called Harmon earlier in the week and the two of them came up with the idea. It was a tough operation to pull off in a few days, considering many lifeguards are starting to go back to school.
“Being able to be part of that day and know that the lifeguards of Cape May could go and have closure and be there for the support of Norman’s family and have this day of remembrance,” said Jamieson, “it was a special day.”
Lifeguards came from other Cape May County beaches, along with beaches in Monmouth, Ocean and Atlantic counties, Harmon said.
Ocean City Beach Patrol Operations Chief Mark Jamieson, Cape May Fire Lt. Ed Zebrowski and Sea Girt Beach Patrol Chief Tim Harmon worked supervised lifeguards at Cape May beach on Friday.Courtesy of Tim Harmon
There was also the legal and local government aspect of having so many lifeguards from different agencies working at another city’s beach. John “Chip” More, a national legal advisor for the United States Lifesaving Association, said towns ultimately came up with an agreement.
Guards with a minimum of four years of experience were sent to Cape May. Most beach patrols sent only one or two guards to ensure other locations at Shore towns still had coverage, More said.
“It is unprecedented,” More said. ”For seasonal lifeguards to pull together like this, I’m being told it’s the first time in history.”
Cape May City needed a minimum of 30 guards without taking breaks to patrol the 2.5-mile stretch of beach. Instead, 56 came along to work — excluding Harmon and Jamieson, who worked as supervisors on Friday.
The turnout was comforting to see for Cape May City Fire Department Lt. Ed Zebrowski. A former lifeguard, he worked Friday as the incident commander.
“It was very reassuring,” Zebrowski said. “It was comforting for the members of the Cape May beach patrol to be able to go and grieve their brother that was lost.”
On Wednesday, the Cape May City Council voted to name the beach at Reading Avenue after the fallen teen.
Fifty-six lifeguards from across N.J. filled in for Cape May beach patrols on Friday so they could go to the funeral of their 16-year-old colleague, who died on duty.Courtesy of Tim Harmon
Jersey Mike’s and Dino’s Subs in Margate City donated sandwiches to the lifeguards who pitched in on Friday. The Margate City fire chief also helped deliver the food, Harmon said.
It was a moving day for Harmon, the Sea Girt lifeguard chief, since 16-year-old Inferrera reminded him of so many other young guards.
“It doesn’t just affect Cape May, it affects everybody,” Harmon said. “I was the same wide-eyed, energetic kid.”
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Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.
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