---
title: "Maine Lifeguard Pulled Underwater by Shark, Officials Cite Increased Sightings"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/maine-lifeguard-pulled-underwater-by-shark-3tvzi
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Society
published: 2026-08-12T05:06:34.347Z
modified: 2026-08-12T07:45:14.521Z
language: en-IN
---

# Maine Lifeguard Pulled Underwater by Shark, Officials Cite Increased Sightings

A lifeguard in Scarborough, Maine, reported being pulled 5 feet underwater by a shark while on duty. Officials are warning the public of an unusual increase in shark sightings near popular East Coast beaches.

## Key takeaways

- A lifeguard in Scarborough, Maine, was pulled underwater by a shark that grabbed his buoy.
- Officials have observed a significant increase in shark sightings near East Coast beaches.
- The trend is potentially linked to successful marine conservation efforts leading to larger populations of sea life, including sharks.
- Experts advise increased awareness of marine environments and avoidance of areas with high concentrations of sea life.

A lifeguard recounted an incident where a shark grabbed his buoy and submerged him approximately five feet underwater off the coast of Scarborough Beach, Maine. The lifeguard, Greg Wilfert, initially mistook the struggle for a boat propeller before realizing he was caught by a marine animal.

Wilfert managed to free himself and reach the shore without injury, describing the experience as "frightening."

Marine officials are observing a significant rise in shark activity closer to shore along the East Coast. Scarborough's marine resources officer, Daryen Granata, noted that at least a dozen sharks have been spotted near popular beaches in the region in the past week. Granata, with over 30 years of experience in the area, stated this represents a larger volume of sightings than typically observed.

Experts suggest this trend may be linked to successful conservation efforts that have bolstered marine life populations. Chris Fischer, founder of OCEARCH, a nonprofit organization that studies sharks, explained that increased marine life includes more sharks, advising beachgoers to remain aware of their surroundings and avoid areas with abundant sea life.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/maine-lifeguard-pulled-underwater-by-shark-3tvzi
Reported from: Multiple Sources