Ocean City Beach Patrol welcomes new recruits

OCEAN CITY, Md – The Ocean City Beach Patrol had one of its biggest summer classes, with over 40 recruits to work with the beaches. OCBP Captain, Butch Arbin, said with the competition, all across the coastal towns, this is a huge step in the right direction.

“The analogy I use is, we’re all fishing in the same pond in the mid-Atlantic, for a limited number of fish,” said Arbin.

The rookie graduates know how important their job is, graduate Kenny Gomez said overlooking the beach, feels like being a guardian angel. “I believe Ocean City Beach Patrol is unique, in its own way, stay active, and be like the guardian of the beach,” said Gomez.

Across the nation, there have been many rip-current tragedies on the beachfront the last couple of weeks, and keeping trainees ready for the moment has been the Beach Patrol’s main objective during the busy season.

Arbin said while none have happened in Ocean City this year, they remain vigilant locally at all times. “Last year rip currents were the second leading cause of weather-related deaths, if we’re not out their people can die; last year 3 people died in Ocean City because they chose to go swimming, we were not on duty.” said Arbin.

OCBP uses the acronym R.I.P meaning relax, I need help, and to swim parallel. Education, prevention, and intervention is the three-part mission for the OCBP this summer.

If you want to join the Ocean City Beach Patrol, you can here at https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/emergency-services/beach-patrol/employment/