Ocean City Beach Patrol

In the record (54)

1. 1885

   Ocean City's earliest documented lifeguarding: watchmen keep bathers inside marked limits, and the surfmen drill on the sand for an audience.

   The same Evening Star correspondent describes the 1885 beach in terms no earlier Ocean City source uses: 'As for the beach, it is the finest along the Atlantic coast — hard and as smooth as an asphalt pavement, and it has a gradual slope down into the ocean, which makes the undertow but very slight. The surf bathing is perfectly safe, [watch]men keep in the bathing limits during bathing hours in case a bather requires assistance, and to take care of the timid. The crew attached to the life saving station at this point frequently have exhibition drills, giving practiced illustrations of their manner of reaching shipwrecked vessels off the coast and how they rescue those aboard the vessels when in distress.' Two things are documented here for the first time in this campaign: a supervised bathing area with attendants on duty during posted hours — forty-five years before the Ocean City Beach Patrol was formally organized in 1930 — and the Life-Saving Station's beach-apparatus drill run as a public entertainment for summer guests.

   The lifeguard and the beach show both arrive in the same paragraph, in the same summer. Ocean City figured out early that watching men practise a rescue is itself a reason to stay another day.

   Unverified — sourced but not confirmed against a primary record.

   Ocean City Life-Saving Station MuseumUnited States Life-Saving Service

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

2. 1892 · 1892-08-22

   John Fisher, who had just sold his morning catch to the hotels, drowns twenty-five feet from shore.

   "John Fisher, a fisherman employed by Samuel J. McLane, of Ocean City, was drowned Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock in the surf, where he was seized with a cramp while in bathing. He had just disposed of his morning's catch of fish at the various hotels and had gone in the surf when the sea was running pretty high to wash off, when he sank beneath the waves within twenty-five feet of the shore." His body came ashore on August 30 "at the locality known as Pinboard Point, about four and one-half miles below the spot where he went down," and was identified by his father from the clothing. It is one of the earliest named drownings on the Ocean City beach in the record — thirty-eight years before the town organised a beach patrol. — 1892 FULL PASS, 2026-08-11 [corrected]: The county paper's own account, in the Ocean City letter of 27 August 1892, gives the man an age, a father, a home and a different relationship to McLane, and it contradicts the Wilmington story on one point of sequence: "John Fisher, aged twenty-one years, son of Charles Fisher, of St. Martin's Neck, was drowned in the surf here Monday afternoon about four o'clock. Fisher had just come in from fishing with his partner, Samuel McLaine, and went in the water to wash off. He struck a strong undercurrent, and, it is supposed, became excited or was seized with cramp. His cries for help were heard by several parties on the shore, who quickly rushed to his rescue, but because of the high sea running, did not reach the spot where the man sunk until the current had carried him away. The life-saving station men and several others formed a line and searched thoroughly, but have not yet recovered the body." So: he was twenty-one, the son of Charles Fisher of St. Martin's Neck, and McLane was his PARTNER, not his employer. He was heard crying for help and men went in after him. And the life-saving crew searched for the body — in the last week of August, out of season, before the station reopened on September 1. The Messenger says he had "just come in from fishing"; the Wilmington Evening Journal says he "had just disposed of his morning's catch of fish at the various hotels", which the Messenger does not mention. Both put it at Monday afternoon about four.

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

3. 1895 · 1895-08-03

   'All along the shore will be found bathing depots provided with suits, life lines and life guards' — the earliest description of an organised guarded beach at Ocean City.

   From 'OCEAN CITY. Life at Our Favorite Resort,' Democratic Messenger, 3 August 1895 — a set-piece booster letter that is nonetheless the most detailed physical description of the beach the campaign holds for the 1890s. 'No other place is as well located as is Ocean City, with an eight-mile coast line of boundless ocean, that brings in a cool, refreshing breeze at all times, with the Sinepuxent Bay on the west, swarming with clams, oysters, crabs and nearly every kind of fish... Its bathing facilities are the finest on the Atlantic Seaboard. Parallel with the shore, at about 40 rods distance, runs a bar of rock, over which the huge waves rear and burst, causing the waves to oscillate, giving to the bather a swinging movement with a complete sense of luxury. All along the shore will be found bathing depots provided with suits, life lines and life guards, rendering bathing absolutely safe.' The same letter says the Atlantic Hotel 'has been successfully run under the personal supervision of Theo. L. Page for five successive years' and that the Atlantic Casino 'has been thoroughly repaired and provided with all the modern calisthenic and gymnastic apparatus.'

   Theodore L. Page had the Atlantic Hotel from the early 1890s; the county paper says five seasons by 1895 and the Washington Evening Star says four.

   Theodore L. Page

   Source · checked 2026-08-11

4. 1905 · 1905-07-26

   August Roder, Jr., son of the Atlantic Hotel's manager, is pulled from the surf in front of the Atlantic Casino by three men including "Mr. Robert Purnell, the life guard."

   "August Roder, Jr., son of Mr. August Roder, of Baltimore, manager of the Atlantic Hotel, Ocean City, last week, while bathing in front of the Atlantic Casino Wednesday, got beyond his depth and was nearly drowned. Mr. Thomas Purnell, Mr. Robert Purnell, the life guard, and Mr. David Moore, who happened to be near at hand, plunged in and bravely saved the exhausted lad." The phrase "the life guard," used as a settled job title, is the earliest documentation the campaign has of a paid or designated beach life guard at Ocean City — twenty-five years before the Ocean City Beach Patrol was founded in 1930. David Moore is the same Washington visitor who organised the fire brigade three days earlier.

   Robert PurnellAugust RoderDavid Moore

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

5. 1908 · 1908-08-02

   A Baltimore dentist drowns in waist-deep water off Showell's bathhouse, and a letter to the county paper asks why Ocean City no longer employs a life guard.

   Dr. E. W. Crowe, "a prominent young dentist, of Baltimore," drowned in the surf at Ocean City on Sunday 2 August 1908 in front of Showell's bathhouse; his body was recovered on Monday. He had told his friends he wanted to ride one more breaker after they went in; nobody saw him struggle, and "the water where Dr. Crowe was drowned was waist deep. He could not swim and was not out beyond the danger line." The following week the Democratic Messenger printed a letter over the name of Charles S. Richardson under the head "Life Guards Needed": "I ask permission to call the attention of the public … to the condition of affairs at Ocean City relative to the entire absence of any provisions for rendering assistance to bathers who may be in danger of drowning in the surf. On last Sunday morning a prominent young dentist of Baltimore City was drowned in about three feet of water in sight of several persons on the beach, and no one apparently made the slightest effort to prevent this fearful accident. Why? Because it seemed nobody's business to act in the matter." Richardson was careful about the life-savers — "we know the Life Saving Station crew of Ocean City and can say that they are as fine a set of men as can be found in the Life Saving Service on the whole Atlantic Coast, but they have specific duties to perform under regulations of the United States Government, and it is impracticable and impossible for them to render efficient service as life guards." And then the sentence that matters most: "The time was when one or two capable swimmers were kept constantly on watch during the bathing period, and upon more than one occasion their prompt action saved the lives of bathers … Why is it that the employment of the life guard at Ocean City has been discontinued? A promising young life has been lost and a home plunged into sorrow and grief, all because somebody … has failed to expend the small sum per month that would be necessary for the employment of a patrol." So Ocean City had paid beach guards at some point before 1908, dropped them, and was being publicly shamed for it — twenty-two years before the Ocean City Beach Patrol was founded in 1930.

   United States Life-Saving ServiceCharles S. Richardson

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

6. 1915

   In August a young member of the Gumboro, Delaware, band drowned at Ocean City after swimming toward the cries of a New York woman in trouble in the surf.

   The Milford Chronicle of 20 August 1915: "[Baker], a member of an excursion party from Gumboro, Del., was drowned at Ocean City, Md., last Friday. Baker was a member of the Gumboro band and was bathing [when] he was attracted by the cries of help of Miss Sallie Gonsky, of New York." The Washington Evening Star of 15 August carried the bare notice — "a member of an excursion party from Gumboro, Del., was drowned at Ocean City, Md." It is the second drowning of the 1915 season and the second time in seven years the record shows the surf at Ocean City being watched by nobody in particular: Charles S. Richardson's public demand for paid life guards was made in 1908, and the Ocean City Beach Patrol was still fifteen years away.

   Unverified — sourced but not confirmed against a primary record.

   Ocean City Boardwalk

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

7. 1919

   A Johns Hopkins student drowns going to another bather's help, and his mother watches from the shore.

   The Messenger of 6 September 1919, "DROWNS AT OCEAN CITY — Edwin E. Murray's Mother Sees Him Go Down While On A Rescue Errand": "Edwin Emory Murray, student at the Johns Hopkins University and son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Murray, of Baltimore, was drowned Tuesday afternoon while bathing at Ocean City, where he went a few days ago with his father, who is a member of the Baltimore bar, his mother and three sisters. Mrs. Murray was standing on the shore and saw her son go down. He had gone to the help of another bather in distress and was swept out to sea. The body was not recovered. A strong undertow caught four bathers and carried them out. Three managed to reach shore after a severe battle with the waves. Mr. Murray struck out to aid one of the men apparently in most danger and his strength gave out." He had held a commission as a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery during the war and was one of five out of 400 Hopkins students to win an appointment to the officers' training camp. It is the third summer running that somebody has drowned in front of Ocean City with nobody paid to watch — eleven years after Charles S. Richardson demanded the town hire lifeguards, and eleven years before the Beach Patrol.

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

8. 1920 · 1920-07-18

   On 18 July 1920 Boatswain's Mate T. T. Moore left his lookout post at Ocean City, swam 200 feet to the outer bar and brought in a 14-year-old Wilmington girl.

   "Helen Weiss, aged 14 years, of Wilmington, was rescued from drowning at Ocean City, Md., the afternoon of July 18, by the coast guard, according to their official report to headquarters here today. Boatswain's Mate T. T. Moore, on lookout, saw the girl struggling on the outer bar 200 feet off shore and some distance from other bathers. He immediately left his post and swam out to her, bringing her in safely." It is the only 1920 Ocean City item in the corpus that reads out of an official Coast Guard report, and it names a surfman — the second Ocean City coastguardsman this pass has recovered, after Capt. William I. Purnell. Set it beside the July item from Salisbury: "Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hastings, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Hastings, of this city, and an unknown man and woman narrowly escaped drowning at Ocean City when they ventured beyond their depths while bathing. Their cries for help were heard by hundreds of people on the shore. Mrs. Charles Hastings, becoming hysterical, clutched at her husband who was attempting to save her as she was sinking from view, and her weight carried him beneath [the water]. … The life guards searched beneath the water and after finding the bodies carried them ashore where they were resuscitated." Eleven years after Charles S. Richardson demanded that the town pay somebody to watch the bathing, and ten years before the Beach Patrol, 1920 has life guards on the beach and a Coast Guard lookout above it, and the corpus records four rescues and no drownings.

   United States Coast GuardCapt. William I. Purnell

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

9. 1927

   Capt. William I. Purnell is still in charge at Ocean City in 1927, and is vice-president of the district's keepers.

   Two independent 1927 sources put Purnell in command. The Evening Star of 28 August 1927, reporting the Coast Guard convention banquet at the Atlantic Hotel: "Capt. William I. Pennell, in charge of the Ocean City station, was master of ceremonies at the banquet, and Mrs. Pennell acted as hostess to the 40 or more ladies who had accompanied the officers from stations from Maine to Key West, Fla." And the Peninsula Enterprise of 3 December 1927, listing the officers of a Coast Guard keepers' association: "Capt. Lloyd Doughty, Cobbs Island, President; Capt. W. J. Purnell, Ocean City, Vice President; Capt. Irving Steele, Lewes Coast Guard Station, Secretary; Capt. G. H. Bromley, Metompkin Coast Guard Station, Treasurer."

   The campaign has had this man since 1917 and has never been sure of his surname, because papers print Purnell and Pennell alike. Two 1927 sources a hundred miles apart, one of them a list of association officers rather than a society column, settle it as Purnell — and put him in the room when the Commandant came to town. He would help found the Ocean City Beach Patrol three years later.

   United States Coast GuardCapt. William I. Purnell

   Source · checked 2026-08-06

10. 1927

    The Senate of Maryland formally thanks an Ocean City man for pulling seven people out of the surf.

    Resolution No. 13 of the 1927 session, approved 1 April 1927: "A Resolution of the Senate of Maryland commending Elisha Victor Bunting of Ocean City for rescuing seven persons from drowning in the summer of 1926. WHEREAS, Elisha Victor Bunting of Ocean City, Maryland, has done a heroic act in rescuing seven people from drowning in the surf during the summer of 1926; therefore be it Resolved by the Senate of Maryland, That we hereby express our appreciation of his bravery in thus signally and heroically risking his life for strangers; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution, under the Seal of the Senate, be transmitted by the Clerk to the said Elisha Victor Bunting, and that this resolution be printed in the Journal."

    Ocean City would not have an organised Beach Patrol until 1930. In 1926 it had Elisha Victor Bunting, and seven people who got to go home.

    Elisha Victor Bunting

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

11. 1928 · 1928-08-09

    A Salisbury storekeeper is pulled out of the surf near a jetty by Wicomico County's former State's Attorney and an unnamed bather.

    Washington Times, 9 August 1928, datelined Salisbury: "Chris Shames, local store proprietor, was saved from drowning in the surf at Ocean City by Curtis W. Long, this city, former State's attorney for Wicomico county, and a fellow bather whose identity was not learned. Swimming beyond the breakers near a jetty, [Shames], finding his strength waning and unable to make shore, called for help. The pair responded, as did also a lifeboat."

    Two years before the Beach Patrol existed, this is what rescue at Ocean City looked like: a lawyer, a stranger and a boat. Note also the geography — 'near a jetty' — which puts the shore-protection works in the water where people were swimming, three days before the storm that came over the boardwalk.

    Curtis W. Long

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

12. 1930

    The Ocean City Beach Patrol is dated to 1930 by every published account — and appears in not one page of the year's contemporary record.

    704 pages matching "ocean city" in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and the District were read in full for 1930. The phrase "beach patrol" occurs on exactly one of them, the Milford Chronicle of 25 July, and it means the Rehoboth Beach Patrol Guards under Captain Frederick Homan, demonstrating drowning rescues at a Delaware Safety Council event. "Life guard" occurs once, at Herald Harbor on the Chesapeake. "Lifeguard", "life-guard", "life saver" and "life savers" occur nowhere. A relevance query for "beach patrol" plus "ocean city" over 1929–1931 across all of Chronicling America returns that same single Milford page. No drowning at Ocean City, Md. is reported in any of the 704 pages. The received account — that Mayor W. W. McCabe and Coast Guard Capt. William Purnell organised the patrol in 1930 because the beach had narrowed and bathers had drifted north beyond North Division Street, out of sight of the Coast Guard tower on Caroline Street, and that Edward Lee Carey was hired as the first guard — rests entirely on modern secondary retellings. ⚠ THE NEGATIVE STANDS FOR 1930 AND MUST NOT BE WIDENED. 1932 supplies what 1930 could not: life guards and posted warning flags at Ocean City, Md., in the Evening Star's account of an August 1931 rescue. Recorded so no later pass repeats the search — a corpus-wide query for "beach patrol" with "ocean city" across 1931–1933 returns FOUR pages: Washington Times 20 Aug 1931 p.18, Smyrna Times 3 Feb 1932 p.2, Washington Times 17 Jun 1933 p.8, Washington Daily News 28 Jun 1933 p.6. The Smyrna Times page was read and is the NATIONAL GUARD's beach patrol at Bethany Beach, not Ocean City's. THE OTHER THREE ARE UNREAD and are the cheapest outstanding lead on this question in the whole campaign. ADD: the same silence holds through 1931. Across all 699 pages of the 1931 Ocean City corpus, 'beach patrol', 'life guard', 'lifeguard' and 'life saver' occur on eight pages and NOT ONE is Ocean City, Maryland. ADD, and close the lead: the Washington Times of 20 August 1931, p.18 — logged by the 1932 pass as one of three unread 'beach patrol' pages — is 'Girls Bring Trouble For 2 Life Guards', datelined OCEAN CITY, N. J., about two members of the Ocean City (New Jersey) Beach Patrol suspended for letting girls sit on their stands. ADD the one 1931 surf rescue that does appear: a 14-year-old Washington Boy Scout, Robert P. Harbaugh, swam out and brought a drowning woman ashore at Ocean City, Md. in early August 1931 (Evening Star, 8 August). No guard is mentioned.

    The campaign asked 1930 to source its most famous institution and 1930 declined. Worse for the received story: the one contemporary description of the beach that year says the opposite of its premise. The Washington Daily News of 18 June 1930 reports under its own subheading that "the bathing beach has been widened, and now has shallow ocean waters for a long distance, average bathing temperatures, and few dangers from undertow." That is not proof the founding story is wrong — promotional copy would say that whatever the sand was doing — but it is the only contemporary evidence either way, and it points the other way. Note also that Elisha Victor Bunting was already "a member of the Ocean City guard" in 1927, so whatever happened in 1930 was very likely a formalisation rather than an invention.

    William W. McCabeCapt. William I. PurnellElisha Victor Bunting

    Source · checked 2026-08-06

13. 1931 · 1931-08-08

    A fourteen-year-old Washington Boy Scout swims out and brings a drowning woman back to the Ocean City beach — and no lifeguard is mentioned.

    Evening Star, 8 August 1931, page 14: "SCOUT RESCUES WOMAN — Robert P. Harbaugh Hero of Ocean City Accident. A 14-year-old Washington Boy Scout saved a woman from drowning at Ocean City, Md., several days ago, according to word just received here. Robert P. 'Buster' Harbaugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Harbaugh, 4217 Third street, was swimming in the surf when he heard the woman's calls for help. He swam out and brought her back to shore. The youth's father, R. B. Harbaugh, is superintendent of the Washington Gas Light Co."

    The Beach Patrol's traditional founding is 1930, and this is the one 1931 surf rescue at Ocean City, Md. in 699 pages. A boy did it. The story names his father's employer and his home street and does not mention a guard, a patrol, or anyone official — which is not proof there were none (in August 1931 a Carnegie medal case shows "physicians and life guards" working over a half-drowned man on this beach) but it is one more year in which the town's own lifesaving service leaves no trace in print.

    Ocean City Boardwalk

    Source · checked 2026-08-10

14. 1931 · 1931-08-20

    🎣 The last unchecked "beach patrol" lead is a trap: the Washington Times page of 20 August 1931 is about two suspended guards of the OCEAN CITY, NEW JERSEY Beach Patrol.

    The 1932 pass logged three unread pages carrying both "beach patrol" and "ocean city", of which the Washington Times of 20 August 1931 was the only one inside 1931. It was fetched and read. It says, in full: "Girls Bring Trouble For 2 Life Guards — OCEAN CITY, N. J., Aug. 20. Two members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol were suspended for a week on charges of neglect of duty and allowing girls to occupy their life stands with them. They are Jack Tinkler, who last Monday married Miss Virginia Davis, of Carnegie, Pa., and Charles Ireland." Beyond it, the 1931 corpus is empty: across all 699 pages the strings "beach patrol", "life guard", "lifeguard" and "life saver" occur on eight pages and NOT ONE of them is Ocean City, Maryland — they are Smith College's swimming pool, Herald Harbor on the Severn, a Long Beach rip tide, a Richmond lake, the Red Cross, and this. A corpus-wide phrase query for "beach patrol" in 1931 returns fifteen pages; the four in Washington and Virginia papers were checked.

    The exact shape the retry log warns about, and the most expensive kind of hit there is: an organisation with the right name, in the right year, in a Washington paper that covers Maryland's Ocean City closely. A pass hunting the founding of the Ocean City Beach Patrol would have found this and stopped. Reading it closes the campaign's last cheap lead on that organisation — negatively.

    Source · checked 2026-08-10

15. 1935 · 1935-04-23

    Ocean City's 1935 lifeguards, named in the minute book: Harry Kelly, Conner, Bill Purnell and Barny McCabe

    On 19 March 1935 “Ernest N. Corey Jr. & Samuel W. Moore were appointed on the Life Guard.” On 23 April a resolution left “the securing of Life gaurds to Councilman W. H. Scott and the following were named on Gaurd: Harry Kelly, Conner, Bill Purnell, Barny McCabe.” The town's beach patrol is being staffed one name at a time by a single councilman, six weeks before the season. The same meeting granted building permits to McKenny Price, Hartland Huston and Joe Hallwood, passed the dog ordinance, and told the secretary to buy twelve sheet brooms and four three-quarter-inch water meters.

    Unverified — sourced but not confirmed against a primary record.

    Source · checked 2026-08-11

16. 1936 · 1936-08-20

    The 1936 Ocean City Beach Patrol, named: seven men, four of them local, appointed by the Mayor and Council

    'The Ocean City Beach Patrol Squad of seven members, appointed by the Mayor and Council this summer, are doing splendid work in making bathing in the surf safe for visitors and in looking after their welfare,' the Democratic Messenger reported on 20 August 1936. 'Those in the Patrol are: Gary Todd, Thomas Dukehart, of Baltimore; Robert Craig, Wilmington, Del.; James Parker, Collins Elliott, Milton Connor and Harry Kelly, all of Ocean City. All of the seven members of the patrol are expert swimmers.' Three of the seven were on the beach the year before: the 1935 minute book names Harry Kelly, Conner and Bill Purnell among the town's lifeguards. Harry Kelly would be mayor of Ocean City from 1970. — 1937 FULL PASS, 2026-08-11 [confirmed]: The patrol went from seven to nine in 1937 and the campaign now holds two more rosters. On 24 June 1937 the Democratic Messenger reported the increase and named 'Captain of the 1937 beach patrol is Harry Kelley, of Ocean City. Other members engaged to date are as follows: Collins Elliott, Milton Connor, [Ja]mes Parker, Franklin Savage, Edward Lee Carey, of Ocean City; Robert Craig, Wilmington, and Gary Todd, of Baltimore.' On 2 September ten men took medals for passing the final life-saving tests: Franklin Savage, Gary Todd, Thomas Dukehart, Collins Elliott, Samuel Moore, William Purnell, James Parker, Robert Craig, Toby Fields and Capt. Harry Kelly. Five of the 1936 seven reappear. ⚠ THE SAME ARTICLE DATES THE PATROL'S FOUNDING TO 1928 — 'the Mayor and Council, which established the unit of lifeguards nine years ago' — against the 1930 the campaign has carried. The council's own minute of 7 June 1937 says the increase was two men, not three.

    The BeachHarry W. Kelley

    Source · checked 2026-08-11

17. 1937 · 1937-06-07

    Ocean City put two more men on the beach for the 1937 season

    'Motion was made & carried that life Guard be increased by 2 men' - the last item of the meeting of 7 June 1937, taken with the season a fortnight off. The Beach Patrol had been seven men in August 1936. The same evening the council dealt with the rest of its public safety: Chief L. B. Cropper, Edw. Powell and Nottingham were present, and the council voted to pay Chief Cropper and Nottingham 'one dollar each a week for use of their Cars for town work'; and after discussing 'the regulation of fast driving on Balto & Phila Ave', it agreed to pass an ordinance forbidding reckless driving and instructed the solicitor to prepare it.

    Ocean City Police DepartmentL. B. CropperEdmond H. JohnsonW. Thomas Elliott

    Source · checked 2026-08-11

18. 1937 · 1937-06-24

    The Ocean City Beach Patrol went to nine men in 1937 under Captain Harry Kelley, and ten of them took medals in September

    'To Increase Ocean City Beach Patrol To Nine Members', the Messenger reported on 24 June 1937: three new men were being added to 'the unit of lifeguards' the Mayor and Council had established 'nine years ago', with operations to begin 1 July. 'Captain of the 1937 beach patrol is Harry Kelley, of Ocean City. Other members engaged to date are as follows: Collins Elliott, Milton Connor, [Ja]mes Parker, Franklin Savage, Edward Lee Carey, of Ocean City; Robert Craig, Wilmington, and Gary Todd, of Baltimore.' At the end of the season, on 2 September, 'Ten members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, all of whom passed final life saving tests, were awarded medals as follows: Franklin Savage, Gary Todd, Thomas Dukehart, Collins Elliott, Samuel Moore, William Purnell, James Parker, Robert Craig, Toby Fields and Capt. Harry Kelly.' Twelve names for a nine-man patrol: Dukehart, Moore, Purnell and Fields joined during the season, Connor and Carey are not in the September list. The council's own minute of 7 June — 'Motion was made & carried that life Guard be increased by 2 men' — is the same decision seen from the inside, and it says two rather than three. The county paper adds who taught them and under whose flag: 'The entire Beach Patrol at Ocean City received instructions in life saving. These were, Franklin Savage, Gary Todd, Thomas Dukehart, Collins Elliott, Samuel Moore, William Purnell, James Parker, Robert Craig, Harry Kelley, Toby Fields ... The Berlin group received buttons and the Ocean City Beach Patrol received medals for passing the final test. These classes were given under the direction of Mr. L. Grant McCubbin, and were part of the nation-wide water safety campaign carried out by the American Red Cross. Instruction was given at Public Landing from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and at Ocean City from 2:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.' Ocean City's lifeguards in 1937 were therefore certified not by the town that paid them but by a national voluntary body, in an afternoon class on their own beach.

    Harry W. KelleyL. Grant McCubbin

    Source · checked 2026-08-11

19. 1941 · 1941-06-03

    Ocean City set its lifeguards' pay for the last pre-war season at $17.50 a week.

    The minute is one line: 'Salaries for life gaurd was discussed and agreed to pay $17.50 a week.' It is the first wage figure the campaign holds for the Ocean City Beach Patrol, whose formation in 1930 is still attested only by modern secondary sources. Set on 3 June 1941, it is the rate for the season that turned out to be the last before the beach became a war frontier — the same summer in which the council refused a licence to any umbrella cart, licensed fortune telling at fifty dollars and taxed the dock owners a quarter a boat. Read against the town's other 1941 numbers it is neither generous nor mean: the man who hauled the town's garbage was paid thirty dollars a day in summer, and the tax rate stood at $1.20 the hundred.

    The Beach

    Source · checked 2026-08-11

20. 1943 · 1943-05-12

    The council offered the 1943 lifeguard captaincy to Robert S. Craig in April, then took it back in May because it 'desired to employ Home town Boy to take charge of Guard'.

    — 1944 FULL PASS, 2026-08-12 [extended]: The captaincy was contested again in 1945 and the minute book does not say who won it. James Parker asked for the job on 3 April 1945 and no action was taken; Gordon Shipley made formal application on 10 April 1945. On 15 May the secretary was told to answer the letters from boys asking for lifeguard jobs by saying the town would hear from them after 1 June. The 1945 crew went on at about six men over the Memorial Day weekend, a full crew from 15 June at $30 a week, and was kept on past 9 September.

    Robert S. CraigClifford P. CropperHarold J. RayneHerman D. ParsonsE. Raymond BoundsJ. M. Mumford

    Source · checked 2026-08-12

21. 1943 · 1943-06-09

    Ocean City's 1943 beach patrol went on the sand on Friday 11 June with four or five men, to be added to 'as demand came'.

    James ParkerClifford P. CropperHerman D. ParsonsE. Raymond BoundsJ. M. Mumford

    Source · checked 2026-08-12

22. 1943 · 1943-08-09

    The town's own August 1943 reckoning put the Life Guard at $1,500 — the second-largest line in a $6,525 summer, behind only garbage labour.

    J. M. Mumford

    Source · checked 2026-08-12

23. 1946 · 1946-03-12

    Ocean City hired Robert S. Craig as Captain of its life guards for the 1946 season at $45 a week - nearly double what the post had paid in 1942, and won by the man who had been turned down for it four years earlier.

    A letter from Craig asking for the job as Captain of Life Guard was read on 5 March and the council said to write him and find out what he wanted as salary, and they would give him their answer as soon as they knew. A week later: 'Letter from Robert S. Craig was read and Council instructed Secretary to write Mr. Craig that they would give him $45.00 week as captain for life guard.' On 2 May 1942 a Mr Craig had applied for the same post and the council took no action on his letter, employing Thomas E. Price four days later at twenty-five dollars a week with the men under him at twenty.

    Unverified — sourced but not confirmed against a primary record.

    Thomas E. Price

    Source · checked 2026-08-15

24. 1972 · 1972-07-03

    The Beach Patrol's June report counted 309 rescues from the surf and three ambulance cases, and from 1 July the guards and the police began driving a night patrol from 10 PM

    At the 3 July 1972 regular meeting, item 17, "Capt. Bob Craig, beach patrol, read his June report. The Beach Patrol is in full strength, but as the summer progresses, the waters temperature increases, more lifeguards will be added. Their basic training was completed, and for the end of June there were 309 rescues from the surf, [?0] lost or found children reunited, 3 cases of ambulance assistance. Beginning July 1, the Beach Patrol and the Police Department will drive a night patrol from 10PM to early morning." Their "great need at present" was to finish the new lifeguard station with a counter, shelves, screens and blinds. On 25 May the mayor had reported the beach patrol building completed and "twenty-five lifeguards will be on duty this weekend." A fortnight later, on 17 July, Craig reported 406 rescues in a single week of "terrific tides" (document 3431).

    Robert S. Craig

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

25. 1972 · 1972-08-07

    The beach patrol captain, finding the ban on dogs on the beach ever harder to enforce, suggested training officers with a tranquilizer gun; a councilman objected to using it on a crowded beach and to any help from the Snow Hill dog-control man

    At the 7 August 1972 regular meeting Captain Craig's beach patrol report "had made mention of the increasing severity of enforcing the city ordinance prohibiting dogs on the beach and had recommended either having the County issue the license, and therefore, the County could aid in the situation, or instructing several officers in the use of a tranquilizer gun for this purpose. Councilman Cropper opposed the dog control man from Snow Hill assisting anytime in the Town of Ocean City; felt the adequate police force and beach patrol could handle this problem without the former's assistance. Also felt it was not a good idea to use the tranquilizer on the beach due to such a large population. Mayor Kelley suggested Captain Craig meet with Chief Duggan." Three weeks earlier, on 17 July, Councilman Purnell had asked Craig about "a number of dogs using the beach, particularly around 50th St."; Craig "advised everyone they could catch they had taken off the beach."

    Robert S. Craig

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

26. 1974 · 1974-07-15

    After Captain Bob Craig read his mid-season Beach Patrol report, the mayor put on record that Craig was just past 56 and had given the beach patrol forty years

    On 15 July 1974 (item 8) Captain Craig read his Mid-Season Beach Patrol Report, attached to the minutes but not in the text layer. Mayor Kelley: "I think Bob is just past 56 years old and I think that he has had 40 years on the Beach Patrol. I think he took over after I was Captain and I think that we deserve to recognize that Bob has given this town a great force, lifeguard force, beach patrol, what have you, and it is a source of real pleasure, Bob, to watch your men. You had a decent surf that in July cut down on some of your rescues, but by the same token, the men watch and do prevent with their whistles and their flags a lot of problems that could develop with your rips and your eddies ... the Mayor and City Council wants to compliment you not only on this year, but in all the past years." Earlier in the same item Councilman Purnell reported that "some church organization was selling peanuts on the beach" the previous Saturday, claiming a guard had said it was all right, and Trimper a lighted candy-and-ice-cream van on the beach parking lot claiming a two-day permit for a visiting motorcycle group.

    Robert S. CraigHarry W. Kelley

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

27. 1974 · 1974-12-02

    A surfers' attorney brought the council a 'Report On Tour Of Surfing Areas' in December 1974, and the mayor said hundreds had surfed every beach after five o'clock all summer without a problem

    On 2 December 1974 Attorney Parolski presented a "Report On Tour Of Surfing Areas" made with Councilman Gordy, proposing a new area 7 comparable to 66th and 67th Streets and "an extension of the hours either between the pier and the jetty, either letting the surfers surf to the left or letting them start at five or maybe ten-thirty or five-thirty"; Mr. Hungerford felt the northern beaches were "pretty empty" by five. Mayor Kelley: "You use all the beaches after five o'clock ... And I mean hundreds of them and nothing was done or said. They enjoyed it. They in fact went up to dark and sometimes a little after dark. There was no problem ... I don't think you ought to start creating one." He asked Parolski and Gordy to bring the material to Captain Craig and the assistant captain, with perhaps Mr. Schoepf at a special meeting, so that "some flags and some other designated signals can be used": "I don't see anything here that deters whatsoever from the pleasure that you all have with surfing. The only thing is that President Cropper and myself are just a little bit too old to do it with you."

    Harry W. Kelley

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

28. 1976 · 1976-06-13

    Six children were pulled from the surf at 126th Street on 13 June 1976, and one mother's letter thanking "the best lifeguards in the world" was read into the minutes

    Mayor Kelley read the letter at the 21 June 1976 regular meeting, after Captain Robert Craig's Beach Patrol report, as "just indicative of things that the Mayor gets": "I am writing in behalf of 6 very grateful children, who were saved from drowning Sunday, June 13, 1976. My son was one of the 6 and the other children asked that we write to you and thank you for having the best lifeguards in the world. We thank you for providing them and most of all we thank them. The lifeguards in particular that were on duty at 126th Street. Thanks always, we are eternally grateful. Mrs. John F. Weis." Craig said the patrol was "running about 137 or 138 including officers," the biggest it had ever been: "It used to be we could leave gaps for two to three blocks in the north end. It can't be done anymore."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

29. 1976 · 1976-06-21

    The Beach Patrol asked for six resuscitation bags at $59 each because mouth-to-mouth on a bather who had recently eaten had turned out "successfully but very indelicately"

    Captain Robert Craig's written report to the 21 June 1976 regular meeting asked for the patrol's lieutenants and sergeants to be reappointed, for a monitor, booster and binoculars for the 27th and 130th Street sub-stations, and for this: "Many times in the past it has been necessary to apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation techniques to revive an unconscious person and when this is done in connection with closed cardiac massage the results have turned out successfully but very indelicately, particularly if the unconscious person has recently eaten. Authorization is asked to purchase 6 resuscitation bags at a cost of $59.00 each which will eliminate the personal contact and are still an effective means of resuscitation." He also asked that sergeants be raised from grade 8 to grade 9. The mayor "concurs 100 percent" and recommended the report "go through in toto."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

30. 1977 · 1977-06-20

    The Beach Patrol made 129 rescues between Memorial Day and mid-June 1977, tested its new guards in hotel pools because the ocean was too cold, and tied up dogs for a dog catcher it could not reach

    Captain Robert S. Craig's Beach Patrol report to the Mayor and City Council, dated 20 June 1977 and filed with that meeting's minutes: "The Beach Patrol is almost at full strength and should have all positions filled by the end of the week ... During the period from Memorial Day to last Saturday, the Patrol has effected 129 rescues and responded to one urgent call which turned out to be a broken back ... During the testing program, because of the cold temperatures of the ocean, part of the testing was held in swimming pools and thanks have been expressed to the Capri and Irene for the use of their pools." On the beach ordinance: "quite a few dogs have been tied up for the dog catcher but there has been some difficulty contacting him and the Police have been called. In some cases, the guards themselves have removed the dogs from the beach or returned them to owners." The report recommended Sergeant Thomas Kane, a seven-year veteran, for lieutenant.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

31. 1977 · 1977-07-11

    Ocean City had banned the boogie board along with hard surf mats, and in July 1977 a beach-stand man who called the town the Boogie Board Capital of the East Coast got the Beach Patrol to run a trial

    Dale Showell, back before the council on 11 July 1977, defined the thing for the record - "a flexible, soft, buoyant, curved creation of proto-cell polyethylene. About three and a half feet long and one and a half feet wide and three inches thick, totally flexible" - and argued from California clippings and the president of the World Lifesaving Association that Huntington Beach had 10,000 of them and no injuries. "Ocean City has declared itself as the Boogie Board Capital of the East Coast, due to the fact that it's on paper and the people in California are aware of it." Asked the rental price, the audience answered a dollar and a half an hour or three dollars a day, the same as a surf mat; the Delaware stands "have had to move the ones that he had in Ocean City up there." Councilman Purnell moved that Mr Cathell draw an ordinance for the first meeting in August and that the boards be tried until then; Councilman Frame objected to allowing something "illegally," and City Solicitor Cathell recast it as Captain Craig of the Beach Patrol being asked "to initiate a program of using these boogie boards so that he may observe them and report back." Captain Craig: "That can be done very easily, no problems."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

32. 1978 · 1978-07-17

    The beach patrol came to the council for a raise with a survey showing a guard cleared about $101 a week against $78 of bare expenses, and was told there was no money this year

    On 17 July 1978 Mark Spence, for a five-man committee of the Ocean City Beach Patrol formed on 5 June, told the council: "The average guard down here has $78.00 worth of expenses per week. Regular guards with taxes taken out clear $101.00 and some odd change per week. Before this 3 percent raise that we got two weeks ago July 1st, we were clearing $98.46 ... Eighty-seven percent of the guards down here are attending school." Captain Craig said Rehoboth's guards had just gone to $120 a week, that he was running about 110 guards with 20 crew chiefs and had been about $10,000 under his salary budget on 1 July, and that fewer than 30 per cent of applicants passed the test - "The guys that are capable of passing the test are waiting tables." A guard, Mr Green: "somebody asked me for 15 cents for a cup of water ... We're desperate." Councilman Purnell: "I for one do not see how we can increase you-all's salary"; Trimper, Conner and Deutsch agreed, and President Cropper closed it: "You took the job knowing what it would pay." A graduated scale for returning guards was left for the next budget.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

33. 1979 · 1979-07-02

    The Beach Patrol captain lured Lieutenant Thomas Kane to a council meeting under false pretences to give him a merit award for restoring three apparently dead people to life by CPR, so that it would be in the minutes

    At the regular meeting of 2 July 1979 Captain Craig presented the Ocean City Beach Patrol Merit Award: "Tom, next year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, and in the life of the Ocean City Beach Patrol we've given less than 6 of these awards, and none of them have been any more deserving than this one." The citation: "Lieutenant Thomas F. Kane has been a valued member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, and is thereby recommended for excellent achievement ... during years of service in addition to rescues too numerous to mention. Lieutenant Kane was directly responsible for restoring to life by CPR at least 3 persons who had apparently died." Craig: "We had to get Tom here under false pretenses. He thought he was coming up to answer some questions about the Fire Department. And ordinarily we give this award at our weekly meeting on Friday morning, but I thought this should be written into the record and into the annals of Ocean City's History by being recorded in the minutes."

    Robert S. Craig

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

34. 1980 · 1980-07-07

    Beach Patrol Captain Robert Craig reported that every guard on the beach now held a CPR certification card after two evenings with the paramedics, and told the mayor the patrol had six women guards that summer

    Item 7 of the regular meeting of 7 July 1980, "Captain Robert Craig, Ocean City Beach Patrol": "I would like to go on public record of thanking Larry Buchanan and his crew of paramedics, because as of two or three nights ago all the Beach Patrol have now been completely certified in CPR, and every person on the beach now holds a card for that certification. And Larry and his crew put in two evenings with us. Total of about 7 or 8 hours." He thanked Chief Pappas, Major Ryan and Ted Eschenburg for a session "to try to clarify some things on the beach" and reported "a very full 4th of July weekend very successfully with no major problems." A Run for Fun and a Swim for Fun, a mile each, were pencilled for 21 and 24 July at the south end. Mayor Kelley: "how many ladies do we have working for us?" Craig: "We have six now." Kelley: "Six, well, I think that's great. It shows we're an equal opportunity crowd ... the test is very rigorous, and I've watched the one up there that you had Saturday at 13th Street, and she was real good." Eschenburg recalled that Craig and Kelley had been lifeguards together and that Craig "tried to beat you, but he said, damn if he's have me by 15 strokes every damn time."

    Harry W. Kelley

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

35. 1981 · 1981-05-04

    Ocean City's surfers were left five designated beaches for 1981 - losing 66th Street to the Holiday Inn and 52nd to a condominium once it was occupied - and lost 4-3 their request to surf until 10:30 on weekdays

    Rich Parolski, for the Surfers' Liaison Committee, made his annual appearance at the regular meeting of 4 May 1981, having toured the beaches with Councilman Ayres. The 1980 beaches had been 52nd-53rd, 66th-67th, Pyramid to Century One, 118th-119th and 144th-145th Streets. Proposed for 1981: 52nd-53rd "until occupancy of 'Constellation House' project", 58th-59th (by consent of the owner), Pyramid to Century One, 118th-119th and 144th-145th - "We will lose 66th to 67th because of the Holiday Inn ... in effect we're losing two beaches and adding one." Parolski: "obviously the beaches are diminishing as time goes on. I think surfing has turned from a sport to now it's a commercial venture," naming three surf shops in the room. The committee asked to extend weekday morning surfing from 10:00 to 10:30. President Trimper: "I think your beaches are quite crowded by 10:00"; Councilman Harrison: the tourists "are on the beach in sufficient numbers by 10:00 to warrant the surfboards coming off." Ayres's motion to approve the whole request including 10:30 failed, "4 opposed and 3 in favor" (Feehley, Ayres and Duggan for); a fallback extension only north of 135th and south of 7th Street also failed - Ayres: "You know, we're running out of beaches." Parolski: "Got plan C?" The mayor suggested a beach patrol crew chief be made liaison to the surfers so the word could travel on days the swimmers stayed out.

    Guy R. Ayres IIIG. Hale HarrisonGranville Trimper

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

36. 1987 · 1987-07-06

    Captain Robert S. Craig retired from the Ocean City Beach Patrol after fifty-three years and was given a resolution of appreciation and a picture of the town by daylight so he could see the beach

    On 6 July 1987 Mayor Powell read a Resolution of Appreciation: "WHEREAS, Robert S. Craig has served the citizens of Ocean City for the past fifty-three years on the Ocean City Beach Patrol... has rendered capable, conscientious and distinguished service to our citizens in the administration of the affairs of the beach... BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Town's governmental proceedings and that a framed copy be given to Robert S. Craig as a lasting token of our sincere respect and regard." The council also gave him a daytime picture of Ocean City "because they knew that you'd want to be able to see the beach." Craig: "Well Fish and I have been friends and buddies for many, many a year... I'm especially grateful to my wife for putting up with doing without me seven days a week during the summertime for many, many years and now I can have some time at home. Maybe next year she'll wish she could go back to the old system." George Schoepf had been appointed Captain of the Beach Patrol at the meeting of 20 April 1987.

    Robert S. CraigRoland E. "Fish" Powell

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

37. 1987 · 1987-10-19

    The Beach Patrol nurse counted 28 serious neck injuries in the surf between mid-July and October 1987, "several of them now quadriplegics," and the council voted to post United States Lifesaving Association shorebreak warning signs for 1988

    Councilman Feehley had raised warning signs on 7 September 1987, citing "the law suits that the City is involved in with people that have been injured on our beach" - three suits, the City Solicitor said - and a lifeguard staff of "140 some people." On 19 October Sally Hacking, "the nurse for the Beach Patrol and a member of the United States Lifesaving Association," gave Captain Schoepf's figures: serious neck injuries with EMT and ambulance involvement ran "from July 15th through the end of that month, there was a total of 6... In the month of August that increased to 18 and in September there were 3 and October there was 1." In the one August week "when the surf is at its highest... there were 29 injuries... shoulder, arm injuries" at the three medical centres. "40 and up seem to be the age group where the injuries are rated higher." Feehley: "several of them are now quadriplegics so this is the sign system used by the United States Lifesaving Association... If we are sued again we will at least be on record as having cautioned people." Trimper wanted "shorebreak" changed to "rough surf"; Councilman Trumpower suggested making "three times more than you need" - "They'll make nice college dorm things." The motion to use the sign on the beach next year passed unanimously, Steckman absent.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

38. 1990 · 1990-04-10

    When the Beach Patrol asked for red lights and sirens on its ATVs, Mayor Powell said the town 'was becoming known as Siren City', and two motions to strip the lights off the Beach Patrol and Fire Marshal vehicles died for want of a second

    Item 9 of the work session of 10 April 1990, "Use of lights and sirens on the Beach Patrol and other city vehicles": "This item also came as a result of the budget hearings in that the Beach Patrol would like red lights and sirens on their ATV's. Mayor Powell felt these vehicles did not need lights and sirens nor did the Fire Marshal vehicles. He stated the Town was becoming known as 'Siren City.'" Councilman Steckman moved to have the equipment removed from both departments' vehicles - "This motion died for lack of a second" - then from the Beach Patrol vehicles alone, which also died. Councilman Hall's motion to leave things as they were and add no more "was 3-4, Hurley, Meehan, Hacking, and Steckman against." City Engineer Dare asked whether either department had a written policy "or if it was just verbal understanding" and had the matter held to 1 May so one could be written; "President Hurley questioned that even with written policy, how do you teach common sense. Mr. Dare responded that a penalty, such as removal of a vacation day, could be enforced." On 1 May Recreation Director Perlozzo brought a draft policy and Clay Stamp explained that Blazers carried beach patients on the tailgate to the top of the street, and "lights/sirens are necessary because the beaches are so crowded."

    Roland E. "Fish" PowellDennis W. Dare

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

39. 1992 · 1992-07-06

    The council let the Cactus Juice beach volleyball tournament go ahead with Hair Cuttery haircuts and Nestea samples but refused a 30-foot inflatable Margarita Schnapps bottle over the beach, then voted 6-1 to strip the Molson inflatable from the Beach Patrol's own lifesaving contest

    At the 6 July 1992 regular session an addendum was sought for "the previously approved Cactus Juice Volleyball Tournament on July 18 and 19": "the Hair Cuttery will be doing hair cuts while the tournament is in progress with proceeds donated to the Leukemia Society. Samples of Nestea (iced tea) will be given away from a booth in the area. A 30-foot inflatable Margarita Schnapps bottle and 10-foot inflatable Nestea bottle would be flown over the area. Also a live broadcast would be going on at the same time. Mayor and Council voiced concern regarding the image the liquor bottle presents and any loud music ... Councilwoman Hacking pointed out that the Beach Patrol contest approved earlier has always had a Molson inflatable as have other tournaments of which the Mayor and Council were not aware. Councilman Mann moved to approve deleting the inflatables and keeping the music volume to a minimum ... The vote was unanimous. Councilman Gisriel then moved to have the Molson inflatable deleted from that contest if in fact it would be there. Councilman Mathias seconded. The vote was 6-1 with President Meehan in opposition." The Beach Patrol contest was the Mid-Atlantic Surf Lifesaving Championships of 15 July, approved the same night on Captain Schoepf's request.

    Vincent Gisriel Jr.Rick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

40. 1992 · 1992-09-08

    Mayor Powell read a proclamation commending Beach Patrol member John H. Strohsacker for giving CPR to a local citizen, on the same night a cancer-walk day was proclaimed in honour of Mike Sacca

    Synopsis of the 8 September 1992 regular session, items 6 and 7: "A proclamation designating September 13th as Making Strides Against Cancer Day in honor of Mike Sacca was read into the record by Councilman Mathias and accepted by Nancy Howard. A proclamation to commend John H. Strohsacker, a member of the Beach Patrol who had administered CPR to a local citizen, was read by Mayor Powell." The Making Strides walk on the Boardwalk had been approved as a special event at the 6 April session.

    Roland E. "Fish" Powell

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

41. 1996 · 1996-07-15

    The Beach Patrol's women guards, who had never been sent to the all-women's lifeguard tournament at Riis Park, New York, asked the council for $1,200 and the mayor said he would find it himself if the city could not

    Regular meeting of 15 July 1996, item 8. President Feehley introduced Colby Nelson as "the young lady that was working as a waitress at the Carousel ... The season was over. The guards were not on the beach. The weather was cold ... there were some people who were in distress, and Colby went out in her waitress uniform and rescued them." Nelson, a third-year guard, with second-year guard Jen Harrison and the women guards standing at the back: "every year there is an all-women's lifeguard tournament in Riis Park, New York ... since I've been on the Beach Patrol, we have sent no teams due to lack of interest and financial support. However, this year we have the most female guards at one time than we've ever had, and we've all been working together in workouts three days a week." Recreation Director Tom Perlozzo: "in my past five or six years, every year that they've requested an opportunity to participate at Riis Park, they have been denied." Feehley argued at length that the money should not come from the $2,000 budgeted for the USLA regional competitions and that the women were "excluding 90% of the Beach Patrol, the male members"; Councilman Mann: "These girls are here." Mayor Powell: "Dennis, do we have $1200 someplace? I know you're using overtime during the storm and everything. If you don't have $1200, I'll find $1200 ... I see enough people in the audience right now." (Applause.) Councilman Hall moved "that we find the funding to appropriate the money for these girls to go to this particular competition ... The $1200." The page carrying the vote is not in the text layer of the document; the minutes were approved as presented on 5 August.

    Roland E. "Fish" Powell

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

42. 2008 · 2008-12-09

    After the September night rescue the Fire Department's debriefing recommended thirteen changes, ending with an ordinance to limit the hours of swimming, and the council voted unanimously to draft one

    At the work session of 30 September 2008, two days after the rescue, Council Secretary Howard's motion "to ask City Solicitor Ayres and the Fire Company to collaborate and explore possible penalties to deter night swimmers" passed unanimously, the solicitor having advised that "municipalities are empowered to make this offense a misdemeanor (criminal penalty) or municipal infraction (monetary penalty)"; the mayor asked that the Beach Patrol and Police Department be involved. Fire Chief Chris Larmore's memorandum of 4 December 2008, read into the work session of 9 December, listed the Surf Rescue Debriefing's recommendations: "Better visibility on buoys (possibly strobes); Land-line reels in shift supervisors vehicles & front line engines; Night vision goggles and a Thermal Imaging Camera deployed; Stationing Beach Patrol when surf conditions warrant; Beach closure at times; Adjusting tire pressure for beach access in shift supervisors' vehicles; High-visibility wet suits; A '2 in 2 out' policy; Additional training/knowing limitations; Deploy a Department person to a high floor of a building, if applicable for better visibility; Stage the engine at the head of the street and deploy the light tower; Have Communications automatically alert the Coast Guard and check on the availability of Trooper 4 on confirmation of a working rescue; Recommendation to Mayor and City Council to explore an ordinance to limit hours of swimming to decrease exposure to these incidents." "Council Member Joe Hall moved to accept the Fire Department's recommendations and proceed with a draft ordinance to limit swimming; seconded by Council Member Mary Knight. The vote was unanimous." Whether the ordinance was enacted is a 2009 question.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

43. 2012 · 2012-07-16

    After the Beach Patrol began enforcing a 42-inch limit on boogie boards against the new 'beater' boards, the city manager suspended the rule, the captain canvassed five surf shops, and the council passed an emergency ordinance raising the limit to 54 inches

    A town press release of 12 July 2012: "Ocean City City Manager David L. Recor initiated a temporary suspension of the prohibition regarding the use of certain body boards on Ocean City beaches. The use of 'boogie' boards, which are defined in the Town Code as a semi soft, buoyant, semi curved object, no more than 42 inches long, 24 inches wide and 4 inches thick, is permitted on Ocean City beaches in non designated surfing areas. Several new body board styles have been introduced to the market... in a variety of lengths ranging from 44 inches to more than 72 inches... The growing popularity of these new body board styles combined with several public complaints regarding their proliferation necessitated heightened awareness and increased enforcement from the Ocean City Beach Patrol." Captain Butch Arbin's memo of 13 July: "Butch met personally with the Owner/managers of five local surf shops. This included representatives from Malibu's, K-Coast, Endless Summer, Quiet Storm and Chauncey's... We have changed the terms for Boogie board to Soft Top Body Board and increased the length to 54 inches. (this will allow over 95% of boards sold to be used)", with boards over 42 inches to carry a leash and stay ten yards from swimmers, and "the digging of holes deeper than knee deep, tunneling and leaving holes unattended" added as prohibited acts. At the regular meeting of 16 July "City Manager David Recor advised that he met with Parks and Recreation Director Tom Shuster and Beach Patrol to address the public's reaction to prohibiting beater boards... Council Secretary Martin moved to ratify Ordinance 2012-23 as an emergency ordinance; seconded by Council Member Joe Hall. The vote was unanimous. The Mayor concurred with vote."

    David L. Recor

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

44. 2014 · 2014-06-16

    A Brazilian army colonel who had travelled to Ocean City to study the Beach Patrol's life-saving methods was given a Key to the City

    Regular meeting of 16 June 2014, first item under Items Presented by the Mayor and City Council: "Mayor Rick Meehan presented a Key to the City to Colonel Jose Maria de Andrade P. Filho from Brazil, who travelled to Ocean City to observe the life-saving techniques of the OC Beach Patrol." The same summer the mayor was handing out Keys to retiring firemen and public-works men; this one went to a foreign officer who had come for the surf rescue technicians.

    Rick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

45. 2016 · 2016-01-26

    Winter Storm Jonas took the power out at the Convention Center with 3,500 Trinity Motivation attendees inside, put Beach Patrol rescue swimmers into National Guard vehicles, damaged the fishing pier and the beach, and ended as a Presidential disaster declaration

    The storm of 22-24 January 2016 reaches the clerk's minutes only as thanks: at the work session of 26 January "Mayor Meehan recognized various Town departments and agencies for the hard work, coordination and communication during Winter Storm Jonas. Repairs to the Ocean City Fishing Pier are being addressed by franchise holder Bayshore Development." The Department Activity Report of 16 February fills it in. The Convention Center "Lost power during Jonas on Saturday night while Trinity Motivation (3,500 attendees) was here; Fire Chief was instrumental with firefighters and EMS as a 'just in case', client was thoroughly impressed with our response." The Beach Patrol "Outfitted and provided rescue swimmers for MSP and MD National Guard for Winter Storm Jonas and staffed EOC for part of the storm." Engineering was "Working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to repair damage to the beach suffered during Jonas. The DNR contractor is currently removing debris and opening vehicle cross overs. DNR is preparing a contract to haul excess sand built up in the Downtown area north for dune repairs." Public Works was re-fabricating "all signs that were lost during 'Jonas' storm," and a 7th-and-8th-grade mid-nighter at Northside Park was cancelled. By April Emergency Management was assembling "the Town of Ocean City Reimbursement Request for the Presidential Declaration from Winter Storm JONAS January 2016."

    Rick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

46. 2016 · 2016-08-15

    After complaints about shark fishing off the north-end beach, the council banned chumming and blood-baiting within 600 feet of the shore by emergency ordinance, with a fine of up to $1,000

    At the regular meeting of 15 August 2016, under an ordinance to amend Chapter 106 (Waterways), the clerk recorded that "Recent concerns about shark fishing on the beach using chumming or blood baiting methods prompted recommendations to amend Chapter 106, Section 4, Surf Fishing and Casting, to prohibit the activity. Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin expressed concerns with sharks being lured onto the beach. Mayor Meehan added conducting a business in the Beach Reserve District is not allowed." Solicitor Ayres proposed three new sections: 106-133, "It shall be unlawful for any person to fish by utilizing those methods commonly known as 'chumming' or 'blood baiting' by said person or in concert with others from the beach or within 600 feet from the beach at any time of the year"; 106-134, against "a baited hook sent into the ocean either by means of propulsion or by a water vessel"; and 106-135, making a violation a municipal infraction "subject to fine of not more than $1,000." Ordinance 2016-18 was approved and then adopted as an emergency ordinance the same night, the Mayor concurring. The staff memo in the packet says the complaints came from "the north end of town."

    Rick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

47. 2016 · 2016-09-06

    Tropical Storm Hermine shut the ocean on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend - the Beach Patrol staffed the entire beach to enforce a swimming ban and the trams did not run - and the mayor thanked Governor Hogan for his support

    At the regular meeting of 6 September 2016, two days after the storm passed, City Manager Doug Miller "thanked employees who manned city services during Hurricane Hermine as well as allied agencies who sent resources," and Mayor Meehan "thanked Governor Hogan for his support during Hurricane Hermine." The Department Activity Reports of 19 September and 17 October name it Tropical Storm Hermine, 2-6 September, and record the Beach Patrol "Staffed entire beach enforcing the swimming ban" and then "Returned all stands to beach by 10:00 AM Sunday"; Engineering found "there was no additional beach damage due to Hermine"; Public Works had "Storm (Hermine) cleanup completed Tuesday on the boardwalk, beach, streets, etc."; and Transportation reported "Labor Day weekend hampered by Tropical Storm Hermine on Saturday had excellent ridership on Friday and Sunday/Monday at 48,884 while Trams closed Saturday of Labor Day Weekend but still managed $23,122 in revenue in the three remaining days." An after-action meeting was held on 20 September.

    Rick MeehanDoug R. Miller

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

48. 2017 · 2017-10-16

    The Beach Patrol reported making more rescues between Labor Day and Sunfest Sunday than in any previous fall, blaming rip currents from the tropical storms and crowds drawn by fine weather and the post-Labor Day events

    The Department Activity Report for the regular meeting of 16 October 2017, in the Beach Patrol section, records: "Concluded regular season on Labor Day Monday, September 4, 2017; Began Fall guarding deployment and operations on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 with 18 stands and ATVs backing up rescues on weekdays; Increased coverage on weekends supplemented with SRT's who returned to work from school and careers; We made far more rescues between Labor Day and Sunfest Sunday than we have ever made before. This was largely due to the tropical storms, the rip currents they created, and the crowds lured to the beach by the great weather and post Labor Day Town events; Concluded Fall guarding on Sunday, September 24 and removed all stands the following day." The public education coordinator had "alerted public of reduced coverage and the dangers of swimming when the Beach patrol is off duty." Seven weeks earlier, at the regular meeting of 21 August, Captain Butch Arbin had been presented an award from Scott Schumann of the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Virginia, and NOAA "recognizing the Ocean Beach Patrol for outstanding coordination of rip current reporting for over 18 years." The report gives no count of the rescues.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

49. 2019 · 2019-09-07

    The first Ocean City Arts and Music Festival, approved for Sunset Park on 7 September 2019, was cancelled for an impending storm and moved to the following June

    The council had approved the festival on 19 August - "Event will feature local artists and musicians with food, drink and beer sales. Applicant requested use of bathrooms and electricity at Sunset Park." On 7 October it took a date change: "Event approved for September 7, 2019, but cancelled due to an impending storm. Coordinator is requesting date change to June 20-21, 2020, from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Sunset Park." The storm was Hurricane Dorian: the Beach Patrol's September report in the 21 October packet records that it "prepared for Hurricane Dorian by removing stands from beach and removing rescue watercraft and floating dock system from USCG compound" and "increased mobile patrols." The Best Day Foundation's Chesapeake Bay addendum, also set for 7-8 September, had passed on consent the same August night.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

50. 2019 · 2019-10-21

    A whale beached in September 2019, and the Ocean City Beach Patrol - down from 91 stands in mid-season to 20 - helped the National Aquarium's rescue director with it

    The Beach Patrol's divisional highlights in the Department Activity Report of 17 October 2019, received at the Regular Meeting of 21 October, list among the month's work: "Assisted the National Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Director with a beached whale." The same page gives the shape of the fall season: "Concluded regular season on Labor Day Monday, September 2, 2019; Began Fall guarding deployment and operations on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 with 20 stands (compared to 91 in mid-season) and ATVs backing up rescues on weekdays"; "Increased coverage to 37 (30 last year) stands on weekends supplemented with SRT's who returned to work from school and careers"; "Concluded Fall guarding on Sunday, September 22nd and removed all stands the following day"; and "Registered 7 candidates for Pre-Employment Physical Skills Evaluations for the 2020 season (less than the last recent Septembers)." The report gives no date, species or size for the whale.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

51. 2021 · 2021-10-18

    The Beach Patrol counted more than 400 dogs on the beach in September 2021 because visitors assumed the no-dog rule ended on Labor Day, though the signs said 30 September

    Beach Patrol section of the city manager's Department Activity Report for the 18 October 2021 regular meeting: "More dogs on beach during day. Many people indicated that they believed the 'No Dog' rules end on Labor Day. Although the signs specify May 1st - Sept 30th." The "Statistics for September 2021" that follow: EMS/Ambulance 19; Police Assistance 2; USCG / MDNRP 1; Lost & Found Persons 16; Animal Control 1; "Dogs on Beach before 10:00 AM, after 5:30 PM and during the day 400 +"; Preventative Actions 6,685; Interventions (Rescues) 97; Minor First Aids 64; Beach Wheelchairs 4; Smoking Enforcement 196. After Labor Day the patrol had run only morning (8:00-10:00) and evening (5:30-8:00) mobile safety patrols in two sectors, and its education coordinator had "alerted public of reduced coverage and the dangers of swimming when the Beach patrol is off duty." The same season the town opened its rebuilt 94th Street Dog Playground, with a ribbon cutting the mayor attended in July and a $108,620 Community Parks and Playgrounds grant closed out with the Department of Natural Resources.

    Source · checked 2026-09-11

52. 2022 · 2022-07-18

    Captain Butch Arbin was given a proclamation for fifty years of service with the Ocean City Beach Patrol

    Under Items Presented by the Mayor and City Council at the regular meeting of 18 July 2022: "Recognition of Captain Butch Arbin for 50 Years of Service with Ocean City Beach Patrol. Mayor Meehan presented a proclamation to Captain Arbin for 50 years of service with the Ocean City Beach Patrol." The recognition had been scheduled for the 12 July work session and "rescheduled for a future meeting." Arbin appears in the same year's budget minutes (28 March) as the captain whose SRT1 lifeguard rate rose from $15.60 to $17.75 an hour with a retention bonus, and whose fully-staffed number was 205 guards, "perhaps 180-190 this year."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

53. 2023 · 2023-05-09

    Short of returning lifeguards, the council doubled the Beach Patrol signing bonus to $500 and gave time-and-a-half after a 43.5-hour week rather than raise the $18.45 starting wage, which staff said would ripple through every other pay table

    Beach Patrol surf rescue technicians "are considered recreational and do not get overtime. They work a standard 43 hours per week" (budget wrap-up, 30 March 2023). That day a motion "to amend lifeguard starting hourly rate to $18.55 and maximum hourly rate to $19.00" was defeated 1 to 6 because "the change would have a ripple effect on other established pay tables"; the council instead approved "an extra $1 per hour for time worked beyond 43 hours" and "an additional end-of-season bonus of $250 provided a minimum of 80 hours is worked after Labor Day." By 9 May the City Manager reported that "the number of returning SRTs has declined. Therefore, we are once again facing a staffing shortage" - the staffing sheet showed returning full-time guards down from 85 to 61 and 113 confirmed against 127 needed - and the council voted unanimously to "1) purchase 3 ATVs now originally scheduled for purchase in FY24; 2) increase beach patrol signing bonus from $250 to $500" and, by amendment, "to increase beach patrol premium-overtime pay to time-and-a-half pay after standard work week hours for supervisors (50 hours) and staff (43.5 hours) are realized." The comparison sheet put Ocean City's starting pay at $18.45 and maximum at $18.82 against $19.00 at Atlantic City, $18.75 in Delaware state parks and $16.00 at Rehoboth Beach.

    Source · checked 2026-09-11

54. 2024 · 2024-09-16

    The Beach Patrol reported 1,525 rescues and 331 lost-and-found persons for the season through 31 August 2024, and staffed an average of 90.5 stands a day into mid-August against 75 the summer before

    The Department Activity Report in the packet for the 16 September 2024 regular meeting carries the Beach Patrol's August statistics as a two-column table, month and season to date: "EMS/Ambulance 31 / 106; Police Assistance 10 / 40; Lost & Found Persons 118 / 331; Animal Control 6 / 12; Preventative Actions 72022 / 252876; Interventions (Rescues) 511 / 1525; Beach Wheelchairs 105 / 372; Surfing Beach Use 858." The July report in the 19 August packet had given 735 rescues, 140 lost-and-found persons and 112,988 preventative actions for July alone. The divisional highlights explain the staffing: "Staffed an average of 90.5 stands on a daily basis through August 11th (compared to 75 last season) and dropped to 85 stands on August 12th compared to 55 last season." The same report notes the patrol "tested 45 candidates (24 last August) for the SRT position with 11 passing," "hosted a breakfast/work session for J-1 employees to address some of their unique employment challenges," and "concluded record-breaking season with Junior Beach Patrol, with over 300 children registered for the camp for the second year." The FY25 budget of 5 April had given the guards an 8% raise and a $500 signing bonus; the tourism director told the Tourism Commission on 3 June that "Beach patrol is fully stocked."

    Source · checked 2026-09-11