A 59-year-old man on a raft was a victim of a possible shark attack in South Maui on Tuesday afternoon, state officials said.

The man suffered lacerations about 16 inches wide on his shoulder that could be bite marks, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The injuries were not life-threatening, according to Maui Fire Department and Ocean Safety officials.

The incident took place at about 4 p.m. Tuesday while the man was on his back on the flotation device off the north end of Wailea Beach, in front of the Grand Wailea Resort.

He was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

If confirmed as a shark attack, the incident would mark the third on Maui this year.

>> On Jan. 23 a stand-up paddleboarder was 150 to 200 yards off Wailea Beach Point when a shark bit the tail of his board. The man was uninjured.

>> On March 31 a snorkeler was bitten on the left foot 400 to 450 yards from shore in Olowalu, West Maui.

In the general vicinity of Tuesday’s incident, a 20-year-old woman visiting from Germany was attacked by a shark that severed her arm below the shoulder about 50 yards from shore on Aug. 14, 2013; she later died.

That attack, which occurred at about 4:30 p.m., took place at Palauea Beach, about 1.7 miles south of the Grand Wailea.

Following Tuesday’s attack, beaches from Chang’s Beach to Keawakapu were closed until at least this morning, when authorities are expected to determine whether ocean conditions are safe.

Maui County Ocean Safety officers used two jet skis to warn ocean users about the possible shark attack.

State conservation enforcement officials were planning to meet with the victim to see whether they could confirm the attack.

According to the website mauiwatch.com, the victim was 30 to 40 yards offshore when he was bitten on his right shoulder.