Community members are asking officials to improve the safety at Silver Sands Beach after a 28-year-old man was swept away by a current Friday.

The Milford Fire Department has indefinitely suspended search and recovery efforts for George Swaby, of Stratford. Some residents are now questioning if additional manpower could have saved Swaby's life.

"It's really sad," said Doreen Casper, who spends many days at Silver Sands State Park. "They need to have lifeguards here every day and they don't."

Casper says she did not see a lifeguard on duty when Swaby went missing.

As News 12 reported, Swaby and another man rode their bikes to the beach Friday and started to walk out toward Charles Island when the rising tides suddenly swept them away.

Authorities say a passing boater rescued Swaby's friend, who was treated and released from Milford Hospital. Swaby wasn't as fortunate.

Marine units searched Friday and Saturday for Swaby before calling off the search. Investigators say they presume he is dead.

Safety officials are reminding people not to walk on sandbars if they are covered with any water.