Fortunately, an Ocean City Fireboat crew was already in the area near the Route 50 Bridge conducting training and immediately responded. Upon arrival, a trained Ocean City Fire Department rescue swimmer was deployed directly from the boat into the water. The swimmer quickly located a juvenile male victim who was barely conscious.
Due to rough conditions and large swells, the rescue swimmer had to keep the victim above water while awaiting the fireboat to be repositioned for the rescue swimmer and the victim. The victim was brought aboard and transported to the United States Coast Guard Station for medical evaluation.
“Our rescue swimmers train for this exact type of emergency,” said Fire Chief Josh Bunting. “We continue to stress the importance of not entering the ocean until Ocean City Beach Patrol Lifeguards are on duty. More importantly, the Ocean City Inlet is not a safe place to swim. It may appear calm from the surface, but conditions can change rapidly, and you never know what lies beneath.”
The Ocean City Fire Department urges all visitors to prioritize safety and always swim near a lifeguard.
Ocean City, MD – At approximately 9:30 a.m. on August 2nd, the Ocean City Fire Department was dispatched by the 911 Center for a report of a swimmer in distress in the Ocean City Inlet.
Fortunately, an Ocean City Fireboat crew was already in the area near the Route 50 Bridge conducting training and immediately responded. Upon arrival, a trained Ocean City Fire Department rescue swimmer was deployed directly from the boat into the water. The swimmer quickly located a juvenile male victim who was barely conscious.
Due to rough conditions and large swells, the rescue swimmer had to keep the victim above water while awaiting the fireboat to be repositioned for the rescue swimmer and the victim. The victim was brought aboard and transported to the United States Coast Guard Station for medical evaluation.
“Our rescue swimmers train for this exact type of emergency,” said Fire Chief Josh Bunting. “We continue to stress the importance of not entering the ocean until Ocean City Beach Patrol Lifeguards are on duty. More importantly, the Ocean City Inlet is not a safe place to swim. It may appear calm from the surface, but conditions can change rapidly, and you never know what lies beneath.”
The Ocean City Fire Department urges all visitors to prioritize safety and always swim near a lifeguard.