OC Fire Dept. Conducts Two Water Rescues in One Day

Image Courtesy of Ocean City Fire Department

OCEAN CITY, Md. – The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) conducted two water rescues just over 11 hours apart on Saturday.

First, around 7:50 a.m. on Aug. 8, crews received reports of a vessel taking on water and sinking near the Route 90 Bridge in the Isle of Wight Bay. Units responded, rescuing the sole occupant from the bay. The victim was transported to the 65th Street Boat Ramp for further evaluation.

That evening, just after 7:00 p.m., units were dispatched to the area of 128th Street for a reported paddleboarder unable to return to shore. The individual was estimated to be approximately 800 yards offshore.

Ocean City Beach Patrol, the United States Coast Guard, and Maryland Natural Resources Police units responded alongside firefighters, and safely assisted the paddleboarder back to shore.

“This marks the second water-related emergency our responders have handled today,” the department said in a post on social media. “As a reminder, anyone using a paddleboard, kayak, or other personal watercraft should wear a life jacket and carry a whistle or other signaling device to call for help in an emergency.”