Ocean City, Maryland – As seasonal staff numbers begin to dwindle, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is reminding residents and beachgoers that the number of surf rescue technicians (lifeguards) working day-to-day will also decrease. While there will be no unguarded areas of the beach, the number of available lifeguard towers will change the location and distance between stands, sometimes on a daily basis.
Despite reduced weekday coverage, the OCBP will have returning surf rescue technicians to allow increased stands on weekends. During this time, the OCBP will also increase the number of mobile rescue units patrolling the beach to assist with coverage. This annual reduced coverage structure begins the third week in August and is largely due to the start of college classes, as well as the return of the Ocean City Beach Patrol’s (OCBP) education professionals who start school throughout the mid-Atlantic.
The Ocean City Beach Patrol will be on duty daily between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. through Sunday, September 23. As weekly coverage reduces, the Beach Patrol suggests taking extra precaution and making sure to walk the short distance to swim near a lifeguard. In addition, OCBP encourages all beach patrons to restrict any beach or water-related activities to times when beach patrol personnel are on duty.
Remember, “Keep Your Feet in the Sand, Until a Lifeguard is in the Stand!”
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~ Town of Ocean City