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OC Beach Patrol returns to stands May 27

DELMARVANOW STAFF REPORT

 

In this file photo, Ocean City Beach Patrol Crew Chief Tom Lurie holds a water safety session with beachgoers near 28th Street in Ocean City.

Let the beach fun begin.

The Ocean City Beach Patrol announced in a press release that lifeguards will return to their stands along the 10 miles of the resort beach May 27.

The return of the lifeguards signals the start of a new tourist season in Ocean City.

The beach patrol will be on the stands until the Sunfest weekend, Sept. 24.

Although beach patrol activities are taking place throughout town before Memorial Day Weekend, including the 2017 Surf Rescue Academy, the beach will not be guarded until surf rescue technicians take their stands May 27, the news release said..

Its first training academy will be held Sunday, May 21, and the second academy on Saturday, June 18.

Starting May 27, the beach patrol will be on duty each day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  

At 5:25 p.m., lifeguards will begin signaling beachgoers out of the ocean. This is the beach patrol’s way of letting visitors know that guards are going off duty and all water-related activities should cease until 10 a.m. the next day.  

“We continue our efforts to educate the public, warning them of the dangers of swimming on unguarded beaches,” said Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin. 

“We do whatever it takes to make sure people leave the ocean before we make that last turn to the west, leaving our beaches for the night.”

Although the temperatures are warming, the beach patrol urges visitors to stay out of the water during unguarded times.  

“Remember our saying,” Arbin said. “Keep Your Feet in the Sand until the Lifeguard’s in the Stand.”

READ MORE: OC Beach Patrol begins lifeguard testing at SU