FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is no certification or experience required. We pay while you learn. View full details of how to become a Surf Rescue Technician with this elite organization.

The beaches are protected by our Surf Rescue Technicians (SRTs) from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

We are in constant contact with the National Weather Service and receive storm announcements and warning well in advance of them arriving in Ocean City. We clear the beaches in advance of potential danger when settings are not safe. People have been struck by lightning and killed while on the beach in Ocean City and we do all that we can to prevent accidents and death.

Ocean Rescue, or Surf Rescue, is significantly more challenging than pool or lake guarding. The job has far more responsibilities and included significantly more responsibility than that of a pool lifeguard. Because of these differences, our lifeguards are called Surf Rescue Technicians, or SRTs.

The 10 miles of beach are guarded from the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend until the third Sunday after Labor Day. At the end of the season, the number of personnel guarding the beach reduces as SRTs return to their off-season obligations. Therefore the distance between guards increases at this time. Beaches are guarded from 10:00am – 5:30pm seven days a week.

The S.R.T.s are communicating with each other using semaphore.

Basically the Ocean City Beach Patrol regulates the use of beach activities. View the Beach Activities Ordinance.

The fact that they have fins makes them not usable on a non-surfing beach. Boogie Boards with fins are also not allowed.

Yes, we have our Junior Beach Patrol Program.

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.

We do have rules for ball playing during the regular season. The ball playing is at the discretion of the Beach Patrol.

Yes, view our 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.

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. View the Surf Fishing Ordinance.

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.

Soft top body board. A flexible, semi-soft, buoyant, semi-curved object, no longer than 54 inches and no wider than two feet and no thicker than four inches, made of a closed-cell polyethylene foam or similar material 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.”

Yes, You must get permission from the Beach Patrol.

The OCBP does not offer part-time employment to new employees. The training for a rookie SRT is on-going throughout the season and requires each new SRT to attend several training opportunities and therefore cannot accommodate any part time schedule for that first year. We require our part-time employees to have at least one year of successful experience with the Ocean City Beach Patrol before being afforded the opportunity to work part-time. Additionally, employees who are on probation are not eligible for part-time employment.

Yes, we do offer three other job classifications, other than SRT (Surf Lifeguard) that do not have the same physical requirements:

Surf Beach Facilitator– Each summer, we employ nine (9) individuals for the position of Surfing Beach Facilitator (SBF). The SBF establishes, maintains, and enforces the boundaries between swimmers and surfers. SBFs educate beach patrons as to how the surfing beach operates and rotates. Since the duties of this position differ from those of the SRT (Surf Lifeguard), the qualifications and training correspond more directly with the responsibilities of the job. If you would like more information about the duties of the SBF or would like to apply for one of the positions, please call 410-289-7556 and ask to speak with Lt. Kovacs or email us at [email protected]. You may request information by clicking the following link to our registration and information form. Surfing Beach Facilitator (SBF) Request

Office Associate– We employ three (3) individuals who support the administration and leadership of the Beach Patrol. Duties include but are not limited to data entry, payroll entry, purchasing, record keeping and updating, creating and publishing weekly newsletters, press articles and releases, off-season newsletters, testing campaign literature, social media posts, as well as maintaining a historical archive, and other duties as assigned. Those interested in these positions should contact the beach patrol at 410-289-7556 or e-mail [email protected] to request availability status and information.

Junior Beach Patrol Assistant Instructor – We employ six (6) individuals who work with the Junior Beach Patrol (JBP) program each season. Applicants for this position must have successfully completed all four levels of the Junior Beach Patrol program and be 15 or 16 years old by the start of the first JBP session. Applicants must pass a modified Run and Swim test before being scheduled for an interview.