One cop helped three swimmers to safety just as fire crews were arriving, according to Ernie Troiano, the Wildwood Fire Department chief, said.
They were identified as two juveniles and a 19-year-old, who was hospitalized.
But the rescue was hindered by strong currents.
“The water was running pretty strong north to south when we went down there, so our rescue efforts were focused on that,” Troiano said.
“We took into consideration the tide cycle, the way the currents were running.”
US Coast Guard officials combed waters around 500 yards near the theme park Morey’s Piers – and helicopters and drones were deployed.
New Jersey cops drove ATVs across the shore in a bid to find the missing teen, described by his grandmother as a “great kid” and a “happy kid.”
“He’s just a kid. He was supposed to graduate on Wednesday,” she said.