Ocean City Beach Patrol
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question |
Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the hours that the beaches are protected by life guards? | The beaches are protected by our Surf Rescue Technicians (SRTs) from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Why do the life guards make people leave the beach when it is just a little bit of lightning? | We have full contact with the current weather and clear the beaches if they are not safe. People have been struck by lightning and killed on the beach in Ocean City. |
| What exactly is an S.R.T.? | Ocean, or surf rescue is significantly more challenging than pool or lake guarding. The job has far more responsibility and and entails much more than that of a pool lifeguard. Because of this difference our lifeguards are called Surf Rescue Technicians, SRTs. |
| When do the S.R.T.s start guarding the beaches? | The 10 miles of beach are guarded the saturday of Memorial Day until Sunfest weekend. (usually the 3rd weekend in September) . At the end of the season the number of personnel guarding the beach is reduced as they return to their off-season obligations. Therefore the distance between guards increases at this time. |
| What are the guards doing with the flags in their hands? | The S.R.T.s are communicating with each other using semaphore. |
| What are the rules as far as what you can and cannot do on the beach? | Basically the Ocean City Beach Patrol regulates the use of beach activities. Click here to view the Beach Activities Ordinance  . |
| Does Ocean City, Maryland allow Uli boards (new product - inflatable surfboards).to be used between the hours of 10 and 5:30 during the Summer season? | The fact that they have fins makes them not usable on a non-surfing beach. Boogie Boards with fins are also not allowed. |
| Do you have any children's programs at the beach? | Yes, we have our Junior Beach Patrol Program. |
| What do you have to do to get a job as a life guard? | There is no certification or experience required. We pay while you learn. Click here for full details of how to become a Surf Rescue Technician with this elite organization. |
| What are the rules as far as kinds of bathing suits that can be worn in Ocean City? | Maryland law prohibits public nudity. Ocean City, Maryland was voted an All American City. We pride ourselves for having the reputation of a top-notch family resort town. |
| What are the rules for playing ball at the beach? | We do have rules for ball playing during the regular season. Click here to view the Ball Playing Ordinance. The ball playing is at the discretion of the Beach Patrol. |
| Are there any surfing beaches in Ocean City? | Yes, we have two rotating surfing beaches. Click here for this year's surfing beach schedule. |
| Is there any handicap access to the beach? | Yes, click here for beach wheelchair information. Beach wheelchairs in boxes on the beach cannot be reserved. They are used on a first-come basis. Users must follow the restrictions. Users wishing to reserve a chair and transport it anywhere in Ocean City can check on availability and reservations at the O.C. public safety building located at 65th Street bayside. |
| Is fishing allowed on the beach? | Surf Fishing is not allowed on the public beaches within the corporate limits of Ocean City between Friday of Memorial Day weekend to September 30 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. within 50 yards of swimmers or persons on the beach. Click her to view the Surf Fishing Ordinance. |
| Can I take my pets on the beach? | The following activity is hereby expressly prohibited and declared unlawful: The Beach Activities Ordinance: Sec. 106-94. Prohibited acts. This is # 6 of the beach activities ordinance: For the owner or keeper of any animal to allow said animal to be upon the beaches within Ocean City at any time during the period from May 1 through September 30 of each year, whether said animal is leashed or otherwise. (see Beach Activities Ordinance for a comprehensive list of beach activities). |
| Can you barbeque on the beach after the life guards leave in the evening? | No, City Ordinance prohibits fires on the beach. However, you can apply to the Fire marshalls office for a permit. |
| What kinds of boogie boards are prohibited on the beach during the "day". Are there any regulations on this? | They may not have fins and must be the same standard boogie board material. Here is the official definition from the Code of Ocean City: Boogie board. A flexible, semi-soft, buoyant, semi-curved object, no longer than 3 1/2 feet and no wider than two feet and no thicker than four inches, made of a closed-cell polyethylene foam and possibly but not always having a smooth plastic layer attached to the bottom and without rigid or semi-rigid attachments or protrusions for aid in steering or movements which serve as a rudder and commonly referred to as "skegs." |
| How can you tell when the tides are changing. | MD's Coastal Bay Region - Calculate Tides This site calculates the sunrise and sunset, the time of moonrise and moon set as well as tidal information including time of high tide and low tide. |
| Can I play Volleyball on the beach? | Yes, You must get permission from the Beach Patrol. Click here for guidelines. |
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