Close encounter of the shark kind for one Maine lifegaurd

SCARBOROUGH, Maine (NBC, KYMA) - A close call over the weekend in Maine at Scarborough beach where a lifeguard said he had a close encounter with a great white shark.

The lifeguard is perfectly fine after the encounter and had this to say.

"You can still enjoy the ocean, just use your caution," said Greg Wilfert, lifeguard and Scarborough Beach Park manager.

That's the advice from Wilfert after his startling encounter with a great white shark.

"Three or four lifeguards will do a swim and well swim around the buoys that are out there," said Wilfert.

It was during that routine swim Saturday morning when Wilfert says he was dragged about five feet underwater.

"I thought I was caught in the prop of a boat, but I soon realized it wasn't a prop of a boat. So, I slipped out of my harness and got to the surface and swam as fast as I could back to shore," Wilfert shared.

The harness Wilfert freed himself from was attached to his yellow rescue can.

Wilfert said the rope is now frayed where the shark latched on.

He believed the shark was going after the bright flotation device, mistaking it for a fish.

After Wilfert's encounter, lifeguards are also on high alert and taking extra precautions, knowing they've got some extra company in these waters.