Ocean City Agencies Team Up for Inlet Rescue Training Ahead of Memorial Day Crowds

OCEAN CITY, Md. — Memorial Day is quickly approaching, and first responders in Ocean City are preparing for the busy weekend and season ahead with water rescue training. The training took place Friday off the Ocean City Inlet, in the jetty.

Ocean City Fire Department Battalion Chief Darrick Elliott said, “When the rescues happen, we want to be prepared, and we don’t want the first time we make entry and have to work around the jetty or in the inlet to be our first time.”

Elliott had two teams practice high-risk rescues off the Ocean City inlet in partnership with the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

“One was being rescued within and around the jetty of the inlet, and the other was, if we were too close to danger—say, near the jetty where they couldn’t get their boat to us—they would throw us a lifeline,” Elliott said.

Both agencies recognized the jetty rocks as a challenging area because of strong currents, heavy vessel traffic, bigger waves, and jagged rocks.

Ocean City Fire Department’s Ryan Whittington said, “We don’t want you swimming in the inlet. We’ve seen pontoon boats come down this inlet and get overturned, so it’s very important that folks remember our inlet creates a significant challenge.”

With warmer temperatures here, anyone planning to swim, paddleboard, or jet-ski should wear a life jacket and be prepared—but don’t be afraid to call for help.

“We want our rescuers to feel confident, to be able to go in and perform the rescue, and, again, work with our allied agencies to know that everybody’s going to be safe and have a great outcome,” Elliott said.