OCFD practices water response as Boat 1 returns to service
OCEAN CITY, Md. – The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) isn’t just responsible for answering calls for service on land. Sometimes, they need to get to emergencies from the water.
Back in Service
With renovations to one of their vessels recently complete, OCFD crews are re-familiarizing themselves with the controls. They say that’s especially important, as visitors descend this summer.
“It’s going to operate differently now that, instead of having a jet drive motor, it has two twin outboard motors,” said Community and Department Engagement Officer, Ryan Whittington. “So, we want to make sure that our crews are efficient so that we can make a fast response, but also a safe response.”
OCFD Boat 1 was forced onto a dry dock after its old engines blew in 2020. The 32-foot vessel had been making rescues for about a decade at that point. She’s now back in service, stocked with medical and fire suppression equipment, and can unload more than a thousand gallons of water per minute when battling blazes.
Working From the Water
Getting comfortable behind the boat’s new motors is crucial, crews say, to ensure that water rescues go smoothly. Having propellers in the rear, instead of the old engines, adds another layer of caution that must be taken when performing water rescues, crews say.
“We want to make sure that, should we have any type of emergency, that were able to respond to safely and efficiently,” Whittington said.
OCFD Chief Richard Bowers says the resort town’s unique layout, and proximity to the water, can add an extra challenge when crews are responding to certain scenes.
“Some of these properties here in Ocean City are very difficult to get to on the bayside and the channels, because we can’t get apparatus back here,” said Chief Bowers. “But we can get a boat back here.”
Unique Calls, Special Opportunities
OCFD’s vessels are also crucial for helping to responding to emergencies that they don’t see every day, like the strong storm that ripped the roof off of a condo earlier this month. Chief Bowers tells WMDT that without that quick response, Ocean City could have had a major navigational problem on its hands.
“What we were able to do with our smaller craft, was to put some booms down, to try and make sure that none of the material from the roof that got into the water and drifted back out” Chief Bowers said.
Plus, having a chance to provide this type of service, alongside agencies like Maryland Natural Resources Police and the U.S. Coast Guard is what Chief Bowers says sets the department apart.
“A lot of our men and women actually own their own boats,” Chief Bowers said. “So, the transition of being able to have this capability, to get people trained and certified is pretty seamless, but it does provide those opportunities.”
Safety is Key
This summer, OCFD is also emphasizing just how important it is to follow safe boating practices. They say that everyone aboard should be wearing a life vest. And, whenever a boat is being started up, it’s crucial to make sure nobody even comes close to the engine.
“Please take time to understand the boating rules,” Whittington said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, you probably shouldn’t be the captain of the boat.”
