Westport Beach Closed Again After Portuguese Men O' War Sighting

WESTPORT — On Sunday evening, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation closed Horseneck Beach in Westport once again due to Portuguese men o' war and dangerous ocean currents.

The department released an advisory at 5:30 p.m. Sunday announcing the closure of the beach starting from 6 p.m. through the rest of the day.

According to the advisory, the beach was closed due to "an intense rip tide" and "the presence of Portuguese men-of-war."

It is unclear how many men of war were spotted.

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The release noted that Horseneck Beach will reopen to the public on Monday morning after an assessment of the area around the water.

The popular Westport beach was previously closed on July 25 after another man o' war sighting as well as dangerous ocean conditions.

Although they may look like jellyfish, Portuguese men o' war are actually a type of siphonophore.

Their painful stings can cause welts on exposed skin, and in very rare instances can be fatal.

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