The Second Department determined the state did have a duty to warn swimmers of rip currents. Claimant’s decedent drowned after a rip current pulled him away from shore:
Turning to the merits, “the State must act as a reasonable [person] in maintaining [its] property,'” such as a park, ” in a reasonably safe condition'” … . “The duty goes beyond the mere maintenance of the physical condition of the park” … , as there is a “recognized duty of general supervision” … . The degree of general supervision must be “adequate” … . Here, in support of its motion for summary judgment, the defendant established its prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law by submitting evidence that it furnished a sufficient number of lifeguards, that those lifeguards were experienced and competent, and that they reacted to the situation in accordance with proper procedure … . In opposition, the claimant failed to raise a triable issue of fact … .
Furthermore, the defendant has no duty to warn swimmers of threats arising from the existence of natural, transitory conditions of the ocean floor … , including rip currents … . Seetaram v State of New York, 2017 NY Slip Op 00336, 2nd Dept 1-18-17
NEGLIGENCE (STATE DOES NOT HAVE A DUTY TO WARN SWIMMERS OF RIP CURRENTS AT STATE BEACHES)/COURT OF CLAIMS (STATE DOES NOT HAVE A DUTY TO WARN SWIMMERS OF RIP CURRENTS AT STATE BEACHES)/SWIMMERS (STATE DOES NOT HAVE A DUTY TO WARN SWIMMERS OF RIP CURRENTS AT STATE BEACHES)/RIP CURRENTS (STATE DOES NOT HAVE A DUTY TO WARN SWIMMERS OF RIP CURRENTS AT STATE BEACHES)/STATE PARKS (STATE DOES NOT HAVE A DUTY TO WARN SWIMMERS OF RIP CURRENTS AT STATE BEACHES)