Beachgoers on alert after possible shark sighting at Babylon beach

BABYLON (WABC) -- With the weather finally cooperating heading into the holiday weekend, beachgoers in Suffolk County finally took the plunge.

But at about 2:30 Wednesday afternoon in Babylon, they were getting out of the water, just as fast as they ran in.

"Everybody saw it, so it wasn't like, what are you guys talking about. It was in plain sight and there wasn't too much arguing at that point," said assistant chief lifeguard Terry Manning.

They actually cleared swimmers for about a 4 mile stretch after lifeguards at Babylon's Overlook Beach spotted what definitely looked like a shark, about 80 yards off the shoreline.

Given what's been happening off the coast of the Carolinas so far this season, with nearly a dozen shark attacks, people in the Tri-State area have become keenly aware of the relatively uncommon threat, and let's just say a bit of shark phobia can go a long way.

"The kids are scared to go in because they're afraid there's a shark there," said beachgoer Cindy Reese.

("So people are a little freaked out?") "Absolutely," she said.

"They brought their boogie boards, they were ready to go in and now, they're right to the knees, that's about it," said beachgoer Laura Odd.

A photo of a shark was taken by a woman at the very same beach 2 years ago. She saw the one Wednesday as well. The difference is that Wednesday's shark never got too close to anyone.

In fact they watched it swim away. So on this, the busiest weekend at the beach so far.. "I don't think it's any concern for anybody," said Manning. "It's the best weekend of the year. We want everybody to still come out and enjoy the beaches, and these guys are trained for that, that's what we do."

"What are you gonna do? What are you gonna do? Shark's gotta live somewhere," Odd said with a laugh.