Swimmers asked to get out of water after shark sighting near Florida beach

Swimmers at Jacksonville Beach between 13th Avenue South and 16th Avenue South are being asked to get out of the water after three large sharks were spotted by a law enforcement helicopter.

This is the first time this summer that lifeguards have asked people to get out of the water due to a shark sighting.

According to American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps Officer Lt. Casey Donnell, once a warning regarding sharks is issued, people who get in the water swim at their own risk. Lifeguards say it is not protocol for them to allow people to go back in the water once a warning is issued.

However, Donnell said shark sightings are very common near the Jacksonville Beach pier and it is not unusual for lifeguards to get calls about sightings. Lifeguards and Jacksonville Beach police say a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office helicopter spotted the sharks, reported to be more than four feet long, and called the lifeguard stand.