As little as sticking a toe in the sea on a "red flag day'' could be grounds for prosecution starting today.

Following a record number of near drowning rescues on Monday, beach-goers will be forbidden from entering the water on red flag days when the surf is strong.

If they do, they could be prosecuted under the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988.

Parks assistant director Mr. William Cook has warned that rangers will summon the Police to deal with people who ignore the flags.

Lifeguards at Horseshoe Bay made 18 rescues after fierce rip tides swept bathers off their feet. As a result, swimmers, surfers and windsurfers who ignore red flags at Horseshoe and John Smith's Bay will be reported to Police.

Bermuda follows in the footsteps of North American, Australian and other seaside resorts with strong tides where people are barred from bathing between red flags.

Yesterday, Mr. Cook said lifeguards had put their lives at risk on Labour Day attempting to save unwise bathers.

"This is the first time ever we've done this,'' Mr. Cook said.

"Bermudians are not accustomed to it.'' But in New York, he said, people got "locked up'' for defying warning flags.

In the past, lifeguards warned beach goers verbally not to enter the water.

But this had proved ineffective, Mr. Cook said.

He said it was likely an area of the beach marked by green flags and surveilled by life guards could be made available to swimmers.

Speaking on Monday's rescues, he said he had never seen so many.

Agriculture Fisheries and Parks life guard superintendent Ms Candy Foggo complained that although two red warning flags were flying at Horseshoe Bay they did not prevent swimmers from entering the water.

"There were a total of 18 rescues on Monday none of which were serious,'' Ms Foggo said.

She said the rip tides were a result of the hurricane which had changed the shape of the beach and the bottom of the ocean, causing surges along the south shore.'' "Most of the people pulled out of the water were not familiar with the surf and the lifeguards had to assist them back to safety,'' said Ms Foggo.

"They were basically routine rescues for the lifeguards but at times it was difficult for them not to get themselves in trouble in the process.''