By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

A 64-year-old male tourist drowned yesterday while snorkeling off Tumon Bay.
The tourist, whose identity is still being withheld, is the first drowning victim on Guam this year.
According to the Guam Fire Department, the incident happened at 10:30 a.m. yesterday when lifeguards stationed along Ypao Beach were called in by members of the victim’s party.
According to GFD, the tourist was already unconscious when he was rescued from the water.
But GFD’s initial probe showed that the drowning victim and the rest of his party were wearing lifeguards and that the tourist showed no sign of distress when he was in the water.
The tourist was immediately rushed to the Guam Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
GFD is reminding tourists and locals alike to be aware of the safety advisory signs when they are going to the beach.
The Guam Visitors Bureau has put in safety signs, as well as a flag warning system for Tumon Bay composed of colored signals that inform the public about sea conditions.
Green means that swimming is allowed, orange means swim with caution, red means no swimming, and blue means hazardous marine life in waters.
The universally recognized flag colors and their definitions are in five languages—English, Chamorro, Japanese, Korean and Chinese—to cater to both island residents and tourists who frequent Tumon Bay.
The safety sign posts, including warning flags, are located at Ypao Beach, Matapang Beach and beaches at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa, Pacific Islands Club, Guam Marriott Resort, Hyatt, Guam Reef Hotel, Westin, Hotel Okura and Hotel Nikko.