RI Swimmers Cautioned After 2 Stung By Portuguese Man O' War

NARRAGANSETT, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is warning Rhode Islanders after a dangerous Portuguese Man O' War jellyfish washed up on Scarborough State Beach on Labor Day. Purple flags will be flown at state beaches, which signify "dangerous marine life."

The beach was closed to swimming around 5 p.m. after two people reported being stung, the DEM said. Beach staff found the organism and identified it as a Portuguese Man O' War, a "dangerous sea creature with long tentacles and a painful sting."

While commonly referred to as jellyfish, they are actually a siphonophore, or a colony of different organisms that work together as a predator. The long tentacles sting and paralyze small fish and other organisms. In the last week of August, the department's Division of Marine Fisheries surveyed the water, but did not find any Man O' War.

Jason McNamee, the DEM's deputy director for natural resources and a marine biologist, said the weather could be to blame for the sudden appearance of the jellies.

"What often is the case at this time of year is that a warm core ring has peeled off from the Gulf Stream and come close to the Rhode Island coast,"McNamee said. "It likely has brought in a slug of warm water that can contain all manner of interesting creatures. These marine events are usually short-lived."

In addition, summer winds usually come from the southwest, but winds often blew from the southeast over the weekend — directly onshore at Scarborough. The wind direction could also explain why a dead whale washed up on shore over the weekend, DEM said.

The purple flag means swimmers should enter the water at their own risk. Man O' War tenacles can grow up to 30 feet and contain "coiled, barbed tubes" that deliver venom. Those who do choose to swim are encouraged to be cautious.

"If swimmers see something that looks like a balloon floating on top of the water, they should stay far away," McNamee said. "Once the man o’ war gets into the surf zone, if the water is rough, the tentacles can break apart, and they can continue to sting even while unattached. The sting is very painful and can leave scars on people with more sensitive skin."

Stings should be treated by carefully removing any remaining tentacles with tweezers, a gloved hand, or, if all else fails, a plastic bag over the hand. Rinse the area with white vinegar, which stops remaining stinging cells from activating. Next, soak the affected area in warm, not scalding, water or take a hot shower for at least 20 minutes. The heat denatures the venom protein. Call a healthcare provider if the symptoms remain or the pain gets worse.