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BEST AGENT SEARCH

Joanna Laslo
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BEST AGENT SEARCH

 

Real estate agents are, by no means, scarce, they can be found everywhere.  Further, there are many additional new agents being licensed every day.  When you need the services of a real estate agent, it is often difficult to choose.

With so many agents to select, how do you know who the best agent would be, how do you know which agent is knowledgeable?  Which one would be as thorough and attentive to detail as you would like?  Where do you start?

It becomes even more confusing when a number of promotional companies boldly advertise this agent, or that, to be the best agent that ever existed.  Many of these companies declare they provide the most accurate information on agents and, further, only recommend and represent the finest, most prominent, agents in the land.

In reality, the majority of these companies are merely advertising companies and, in fact, generally represent any agent that has arranged for that company’s praise.  The information provided is not normally based on any documentation, or beneficial action performed by that agent.   The agent simply pays for advertisement and the promotional services from a third-party provider.

 

The road to locating an agent, who may be best suited to you, can be challenging, but well worth your time and effort.   You will spend quite a deal of time with your agent during your real estate transaction.  The entire process is lengthy, from signing the listing or sales agreement, to finally sitting at the settlement table transferring your property into a buyer’s hands, or taking possession of your new property.  Therefore, trust and compatibility is more important than most people would believe.

In searching for the perfect agent, location is an excellent start.  The location of the agent’s office may be important to you in the long run, and something you may want to take into consideration.  Distance can make a drastic difference in duties required of agents, such as allowing entry to:

buyers

home inspectors,

service personnel (movers, cleaners)

repair companies (HVAC, Appliances)

and appraisers

Through the grapevine you may have heard positive stories about an agent only to find they are located an hour or more away.   This may be inconvenient in the event a prompt response is required and the distance may affect the extent of the agent’s knowledge of your area.   Even though agents are not supposed to venture outside their area of expertise, it unfortunately does occur.

For an agent located hours away, it would be easiest to try to simply rely on lock boxes and hope the property is properly secured and closed up.   Not checking the unit, or home, frequently, may not be the best service to a seller.  Not being available to suddenly show a property to a buyer that happens to be going through town, may not be providing the best services for either party.

Once you determine the physical boundaries for your search criteria, you should also visit your state’s real estate commission website.  Nearly all Licensing Commissions list companies that  have been determined to be guilty of real estate violations,  the commission will list what the infractions were and the disciplinary action that was taken. The DLLR (Department of labor, Licensing and Regulation) is responsible for protecting you, the public, not agents.

http://dllr.state.md.us/

It is always a good plan to check a real estate company’s web presence as well.  Often information is available, and displayed there regarding each agent that works for that company.  The number of years that agent has been licensed, and their level of expertise, is also frequently shared on those sites.

Obviously, the longer an agent has been practicing as a full-time agent, the more qualified, simply through experience

After some investigative homework, and you narrow your search to a few knowledgeable and experienced agents, you should sit down and meet with a couple of them face to face.  Interviewing your next potential agent is an excellent opportunity to get to know them.

Upon the first meeting with an agent, they will ask you to sign a disclosure related to “understanding whom real estate agents represents” as required by law in many states.   The agent should fully explain the form and the types of agencies, or services, a real estate agent may offer.  If that agent does not explain the paperwork and what duties may be expected from them, you may want to keep looking for another agent.    An agent should never merely indicate a need for your signature with a vague comment “this is a form required by law”.

As in any interview, you may want to write down a few questions to present to the agent about your area.  The responses from that agent will assist you in understanding the extent of knowledge that agents may possess regarding your neighborhood and property

Ask how the agent will present you with the main paperwork, whether a listing agreement, or a sales agreement.   Most experienced agents will compile the paperwork and send it by way of an electronic signature process, many use Docusign or Dotloop.    By sending the paperwork in that manor, it allows the client time to read over the paperwork, ask questions to clarify any concerns, before signing.  If an agent flips pages for signature without explanation, or without allowing the client to fully understand the paperwork, that could be a warning sign of lack of detail.

While the search for an agent, your representative, may be a little exhausting, locating the perfect agent for you will provide a level of comfort and trust.  A relationship where the client and agent are in tune may help  your real estate transaction proceed smoothly and uneventfully.

Whatever the perception of the outside world of real estate, transactions are complex, and time sensitive.  A single transaction can be filled with potential pitfalls.  A knowledgeable agent is invaluable in such a situation and will help you navigate through your sale or purchase.

 

Ocean, Love, and Inclusion: Local Film Highlighting Underrepresented Communities Needs Your Support

Logan Dubel
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Ocean, Love, and Inclusion: Local Film Highlighting Underrepresented Communities Needs Your Support

By Logan Dubel

Since launching in 2017, the Ocean City Film Festival (OCFF) has aimed to inspire and encourage budding storytellers across the Delmarva Peninsula. Highlighting unique Ocean City stories and plotlines rarely found in the mainstream film industry, the festival has successfully drawn participation from filmmakers year-round. Once again, the OCFF has prevailed in its mission to influence and motivate, but now local producers need the assistance of the community to catapult their next project forward.

The feature, entitled Peer, is a BIPOC-focused short film produced right in Ocean City covering the intersection of the beach, love, and inclusion. Tackling topics untouched by most filmmakers, Director Marlon Wallace and producers William Strang-Moya and Danielle Mooney hope the project brings more representation to the streets of their favorite vacation destination.

The story chronicles the journeys of two Black men, Harold and Arthur. Harold, an aquaphobe on vacation in Ocean City, and Arthur, a lifeguard spending the summer working for the beach patrol, have opposite personalities. Harold, a timid and quiet rising senior in college, eventually meets Arthur, who on the contrary, is quite outgoing. The pair eventually meet on the pier at the Ocean City Inlet, and Arthur, a lover of the water, wants to help Harold overcome his intense fear. Eventually, the two swim together to help Harold become more confident and simultaneously fall in love. Still shy and conflicted, Harold faces a major decision – will he continue to be afraid or pursue happiness?

Strang-Moya, Founder of the Ocean City Film Festival, is proud to showcase this unique story. “When I read the script for the first time, I knew I hadn’t seen anything like it in Ocean City before. We’ve seen so many summer romance films, but this involves a queer romance among people of color, and these stories are lacking in Ocean City and the mainstream media,” he said. “While we have seen representation increase tremendously on the national level, we still have work to do here in Ocean City, and I hope this film achieves that. Marlon Wallace, the director, knows movies inside and out and is truly a film encyclopedia. We all want to help our friend Marlon, and Ocean City is the place to do it.”

Wallace, a longtime editor at WBOC, writer of the M Report blog, and juror for the OCFF, approached Strang-Moya with the script shortly after the festival wrapped up in March. From personal experience, he understands the importance of sharing this story in the Delmarva area.

“As a juror in the Ocean City Film Festival, I see what films are submitted and get to help choose what ends up on the big screen. I’ve noticed that there has never been the kind of story that truly represents me,” Wallace explained. “As a Black gay man, I realized that I want to see a film that represents myself on the big screen. Representation has been lacking in cinema especially. I waited forever for someone to do a project like this, but I finally decided that I needed to stop talking and just do it myself.”

Harold and Arthur on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

For film fanatics and lovers of Ocean City to enjoy the feature, support from the community is necessary. The festival has launched a 30-day GoFundMe campaign, asking for a grand total of $12,500 to support production and the cost of the cast and crew.

“The crew will almost exclusively be comprised of locals, thus making our film a small yet viable economic opportunity for the few people who do this kind of work in the area. As someone who used to freelance, I know that there weren’t always a lot of opportunities for people in the industry to make a living in the local area.” Strang-Moya added. “Anything we can do to build the culture of Ocean City is something I hope people are willing to contribute to. This film is another way of us showing people that we love Ocean City.”

Not only will the cast and crew benefit from donations, but the producers believe the Town of Ocean City will as well. They see the film as an advertisement for the resort, targeting new demographics, proving that the island is an inclusive place open to everyone.

Wallace with cast members.

Wallace is hopeful that everyone sees and appreciates the opportunities his film provides.

“To people that might be apprehensive, I would say that having a more inclusive town that tells these kinds of stories will only make it a better place. If people like me feel as though Ocean City is a place that is welcome to them, then more of us will come to the town and contribute to our local economy,” he said. “We can all enjoy the great activities Ocean City offers and help to make it a more prosperous place. Governor Hogan always says Maryland is open for business, so let’s promote Ocean City as open for all visitors.”

Those who make contributions will get perks for their support, ranging from free copies of the film, movie posters, and a chance to win 2022 OCFF all-access passes. Businesses that sponsor the film will even get the opportunity to have the name or logo of their establishment included in the feature.

If all goes as planned, production will begin in September, and editing will wrap up by the end of the year, in time for the Ocean City Film Festival in March. Eventually, the team hopes to take the film across the country and world to promote Ocean City.

To read more about the film and make a donation, click here.

OceanCity.com Announces Best of Ocean City® 2021 Winners 

Logan Dubel
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OceanCity.com Announces Best of Ocean City® 2021 Winners 

OceanCity.com, the premier and largest online destination for tourists on the shore, has announced its annual Best of Ocean City® winners for the 2021 season. Now in its 11th year, the online voting contest engages lovers of the resort from far and wide to choose the top places in town.

This year’s voting cycle, which began on Memorial Day 2020 and continued into June 2021, garnered nearly 100,000 votes across more than 40 categories. Voting totals remained consistent with previous years, proving that people were still passionate about Ocean City, Maryland during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The list of winners ranging from restaurants, bars, activities, and boardwalk businesses, provides an updated guide to the must-stop places for the millions of tourists that visit the island each year.

Ocean City Skyline from OC Bay Hopper Shore Craft Beer Cruise

Many longtime Ocean City staples continued their reign on the list this year, including in the waterfront dining category, with winner Fager’s Island, runner-up Fish Tales, and editor’s choice Macky’s Bayside Bar and Grill. World-famous Seacrets also topped the best bar and best drink categories. For the first time, businesses such as Tarhaka Brothers Ice Cream and boat tour groups OC Bay Hopper and Sail Alyosha made appearances on the list.

For the full list of 2021 winners, click here.

“We are thrilled to have been able to continue our Best of Ocean City® series throughout the pandemic, highlighting the greatest places and activities our town has to offer,” said Ann McGinnis Hillyer, CEO of OceanCity.com. “This is the only competition in Ocean City that has absolutely nothing to do with advertising or other schemes. These prizes are truly indicative of what our tourist base believes are the top establishments in Ocean City.”

After reviewing vote totals, OceanCity.com designated winners and runners-up in each category. Additionally, the staff, a team of local residents, and business owners all collaborated to pick editor’s choice winners in most categories, offering tourists yet another option. In some cases, however, the winners our followers picked were simply the best without question, so a few categories do not include an editorial winner.

Each winning business, even if bestowed more than one award by the voters, will receive one metal sign and a window decal to proudly display in their establishments. The signs, sporting the brand new OceanCity.com logo, are a badge of honor, especially after the unprecedented year business owners just experienced. Their tireless efforts to keep their doors open and serve both the residents and tourists of Ocean City have not gone unnoticed.

Keeping the fun going, our website and social media pages will soon launch a new contest, encouraging visitors to take photos with the Best of Ocean City® signs they spot around town. They will then be eligible for giveaway drawings, including free/discounted activities. Stay tuned to our digital properties for more details.

Voting for the Best of Ocean City® 2022 is already open and will continue through May 31. We thank those that voted and hope to have a record-breaking year of participation in 2022.

Click here to begin voting for the 2022 contest.

Profile: Nancy Howard

Logan Dubel
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Profile: Nancy Howard

By Logan Dubel

The people of Ocean City are quite busy, but one person has truly done it all – and has the resume to prove it. Nancy Howard, a longtime resident, and local leader has worked everywhere, from a presidential campaign to the Carousel Hotel and City Hall. With decades of experience, she is still pushing full steam ahead, proving that there is always more that can be achieved for the community.

About

Role: President, Ocean City Museum Society (2013-Present), Ocean City Councilmember (1996-2008), In-House Convention Manager at the Carousel Hotel, Project Manager, Ocean City Beach Replenishment, Public Relations Director, Eastern Shore Department of Natural Resources, and real estate agent.

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

First Vacation to Ocean City: June 1961 (following high school graduation)

First Job: Office Assistant at the Smithsonian Institute

Education: University of Maryland (uncompleted)

More than 45 years ago, Nancy Howard moved to Ocean City and has made a mark on everything she has taken part in since. However, before she moved to the island, her life was much different, studying art history and then being in the midst of national politics.

“I loved art, but I could not even draw a stick figure. I really appreciated everything about art, and working at the Smithsonian was magical. It’s a special place,” Howard said. “After I left school, I asked for a job on Capitol Hill and didn’t care what I did. Much like Ocean City, Capitol Hill was much different in those days. I worked as a secretary for the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs. In those days though, I was not a political person.”

That would quickly change, as Howard, the daughter of republicans, found herself working for the staunch South Dakota democratic Senator George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign against incumbent President Richard Nixon. To be young and campaigning across the nation is an experience Howard says she always remembers fondly.

“I became involved with the McGovern campaign because he was the chairman of the Senate committee I worked for, and I was shipped out to many primary events. It was one of the most exciting periods of my life,” she said. “I campaigned again in 1974 for McGovern’s re-election run in South Dakota.”

So, with a few years of politics under her belt working in the nation’s bustling capital, how on earth did Nancy Howard end up in Ocean City, Maryland? After leaving the Senate in 1975, she did not have many plans. After just one week in the resort town, she knew it was the place for her.

“I remember one special night that was just magical. The air was dry, it was a cool night, and I saw something special. When I came down for the first time years earlier as a high school senior, I admit that I was not an Ocean City person,” Howard explained. “Fast forward to 1975, without friends, a job completely lined up, or a place to stay, I moved here that December 1st and have never left.”

After settling in, her first job offer came from City Hall, of all places, but she was apprehensive about taking the position. She continued to look and found that the Carousel Hotel needed someone to lead planning for their in-house conventions. Howard, who laughed at the time that the only thing she had ever done in a hotel was sleep, took the job right away and stayed for seven years. In the 1980s, she also did what she calls her “obligatory real estate” experience, and along the way, met another agent, future Mayor Rick Meehan.

Meehan, who had political aspirations at the time, was bolstered by Howard’s strong support when running for a seat on the Ocean City Council in 1985. While working on his local campaign, she met legendary Mayor Fish Powell and received an offer that would later be her claim to fame – to lead beach replenishment efforts in Ocean City.

“This was a job I was not qualified for, and what’s more, is that I was the director of the entire project. What saved me was that I was so passionate about the project and knew how to manage it,” she reflected. “While some people will not admit it, the central reason as to why we are all here in Ocean City is because of the beach. You can say that there are great restaurants, or we have an exciting Boardwalk, but we needed beach replenishment then and still do today because that is what people come here for.”

Due to Howard’s impressive direction, she made a name for herself in the local sphere. Appearing constantly on television and in newspapers about her work to get easements and contracts for the beach operations, Nancy Howard became a household name in Ocean City. Later, she landed a position leading public relations at the Eastern Shore Department of Natural Resources. Beach replenishment was her stepping stone to taking a seat at the Ocean City Council, where she was first elected in 1996. Howard, one of the few progressives on the shore, says very few people knew exactly what she stood for, but they knew that she would get the job done.

Nancy Howard with Rich Meehan and Joe Mitrecic opening up Ocean City for the summer in 2003.

In her three terms on the council through 2008, she is proud of the relative stability the town experienced during her tenure. Unlike today, she says the town did not experience a multitude of issues, and life was good.

“I felt like more of a caretaker on the council. We were prosperous, we were building, and the beach was beautiful,” she recalled. “My one regret is that we never raised taxes even just slightly. I believe that was a mistake because our infrastructure needed help, and we weren’t good stewards of it. No one wants to pay more to the government, but someone has to pay for all the things we desire and benefit from. I think we caved too much on that issue, unfortunately.”

Since departing City Hall, she has continued to be effective and argues that she has actually accomplished more outside of government. Her community involvement spans across various sectors, from museums to paramedics. Her current roles include President of the Ocean City Museum Society, which operates the Life-Saving Station Museum, Treasurer of the Worcester County Arts Council, Secretary of both the Ocean City Paramedic Foundation and the Downtown Association, and Vice-President of the Worcester County Library Board.

As a longtime student of history, Howard has loved every minute of leading the museum board and staff, and even choked up when discussing why it is such a special place.

“Being at the museum in Ocean City brings me back to my days at the Smithsonian, and I just love it because it is exploding with possibilities. The museum is becoming part of the added value for tourists,” Howard said. “Museums are a firm reminder that we can never deny the past, the good, the bad, and the ugly. This country has done some wonderful things, but we aren’t perfect.”

Spearheading the mission of historical engagement in the community, Howard is proud to announce that Worcester County History Week will launch for the first time ever in October, featuring museums across the eastern shore.

Reflecting on her nearly half a century in Ocean City, she recognizes that great changes have occurred. The most interesting shift, however, is a change in the way people view the areas surrounding the beach. In the 1980s and 1990s, she says that sending people across the Route 50 or 90 bridges to other towns was seen as a cardinal sin and a terrible idea. Now, that perspective seems unimaginable, with the vibrant small town of Berlin or the unmatched scenery at Assateague Island.

“Town leaders thought at the time that if you gave people a reason to drive out of town, they would never come back, which in hindsight, seems foolish,” Howard explained. “City officials finally realized how great these other places were and that people would still come right back to Ocean City.”

Nancy Howard’s Ocean City Favorites

Favorite Restaurants: Bayside Skillet, Fager’s Island, Kirby’s Pub, and Liquid Assets

Favorite Hotels: The Carousel Hotel

Must-Stop on the Boardwalk: Stephanie Meehan’s Funcade Arcade, The Dough Roller, Shenanigan’s

Favorite Activity: Riding a bike

Favorite Time of Year: October – less humidity and chilly nights

Vision

We have to get a handle on some of the issues we have to keep this town rolling. We need to finally do something about traffic on coastal highway because the problem continues to grow. Additionally, we need to have a safe but clean town.

The Boardwalk’s Best Bar in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

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The Boardwalk’s Best Bar in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

The 2021 The Best of Ocean City® voting is closed and the winners have been announced.  Ocean City’s famous boardwalk has bars that are jam-packed at night and great entertainment. The boardwalk is always filled with people and a great view of the beautiful beach and ocean. When you are done having fun, you can always stroll the boardwalk and enjoy the other attractions the boardwalk has to offer. Here are some places that the Ocean City community believes are the best bars on the boardwalk!

 

Cork Bar

 

Since 1964, The Cork Bar has been serving up the Coldest Beer in Ocean City for over 50 years. They have a delicious menu, including their award-winning wings! Cork Bar’s wings are enormous and fried to perfection. Very filling after all the drinks you will consume at the Cork Bar. The Cork boasts the coldest beer in town. It has a great grill with some very good treats; 2 pool tables, a shuffle bowl board, an electronic dartboard, and a jukebox loaded with just about any music. Cork Bar also has a tradition, if you are able to get up on the table and reach the ceiling you are supposed to sign a dollar bill and tape it to the ceiling. It’s a great conversation starter while enjoying a delicious beer.

Shenanigan’s Irish Pub

 

Most of the faces and names have changed, but they have (nearly) all embraced the “Shenanigan’s Way”… providing quality food and service, always remembering it’s the customer who allows us to thrive. Shenanigans staff is unlike no other, they are friendly and will take care of you to the best of their abilities. Their wide variety menu will please everybody that chooses to eat there. If you choose to eat at Shenanigans make sure you try their Guinness beer. We’re forced to spend most of every day in a fast-paced, online world, and Shenanigan’s values their customers’ tweets and posts as much as their competition, but while you are visiting Shenanigan’s make sure you capture a picture with their Guinness beer!

 

The Purple Moose Saloon

 

The legendary Purple Moose Saloon features nightly entertainment in the summer including the best rock bands on the East Coast. When the bands aren’t jamming, the DJs are spinning the rock tunes all night long. Enjoy rockin’ bands, cold drinks, and good friends at the Moose. You can also enjoy playing Keno while enjoying delicious beers. fun atmosphere and friendly bartenders make Purple Moose Saloon the place to feel welcomed by tourists. The Purple Moose Saloon is a perfect place to enjoy live music and delicious food while looking over Ocean City’s breathtaking boardwalk.

 

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

Hammerheads

Each year, the staff of OceanCity.com and a group of locals go through each of the categories and give you an option we think deserves your consideration as The Best of Ocean City® for 2021. We think you should definitely visit Hammerheads if you would like to try their crab cake grilled cheese made with texas toast.

Widespread Error: Some Ocean City Tourists Charged Repeatedly for Parking, Some Report Bank Accounts Wiped

Logan Dubel
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Widespread Error: Some Ocean City Tourists Charged Repeatedly for Parking, Some Report Bank Accounts Wiped

By Logan Dubel

All Parking Remains Free Until Tuesday at 5 p.m.

As if there is not enough happening in the Town of Ocean City this week, there is another issue adding fuel to the fire. According to Town of Ocean City sources, those who used Park Mobile machines to park in the resort town were charged anywhere from 50-90 times, taking thousands of dollars out of tourists’ bank accounts. Hundreds of people have reached out to the Ocean City Police Department’s Record Section with complaints and pleas for help as their accounts have been entirely wiped. Unfortunately for the town, 90% of transactions are via credit and debit cards. The glitch impacted parking machines across all municipal lots and paid parking spots.

The problem reportedly began sometime on Thursday or Friday and continued throughout Independence Day weekend as a result of an external software upgrade. The software, Montera, should have increased functionality but instead caused machines to issue multiple charges to the same patrons. Those with debit cards have faced the most difficulties due to the massive number of charges draining their accounts, while those with credit cards may not yet be aware of the issue. Anyone that parked using the Park Mobile machines in Ocean City since July 1 should check to make sure they are not affected.

Issue Not Confined to Ocean City

“On July 1, 2021, the Town’s credit card processing company performed a software upgrade,” said Communications and Marketing Director Jessica Waters. “This upgrade, in turn, caused an issue over the weekend with our parking meters where certain credit card customers have been charged multiple times for the same transaction. The problem is NOT limited to Ocean City, it is system-wide for Flowbird.” Flowbird is the IT vendor contracted by the Town of Ocean City. Officials say that they typically work with this vendor when experiencing difficulties with the kiosks.

While the system appears to be stable as of Tuesday morning, officials suspended parking fees late Monday night and will not resume parking payments until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. The town records section says that they were made aware of the problem early Saturday morning. The City Engineer has confirmed that the issue is resolved and that refunds are forthcoming. The exact number of patrons impacted remains unclear.

A town records section source says that the situation is heartbreaking for people who live paycheck to paycheck, and higher-level staff at Flowbird are working around the clock to issue refunds. The city has made clear that refunds will come from Flowbird, not the Town of Ocean City. Phones continue to ring off the hook at the town’s record section, and officials are working nonstop, but the source says that the town is just the “middleman” as of now.  While many of the duplicate transactions were eliminated, some transactions did unfortunately process. Flowbird cannot make any promises, but they hope to issue most refunds within the next 2-3 days.

What You Can Do If This Problem Affects You

In the meantime, people are encouraged to call their banks, notify them of the issue, and hopefully stop the continuous charges.

People were initially encouraged to reach out to the Police Department’s Records Section, but now the mishap is in Flowbird’s hands. The town received calls from about 35 people, who provided their license plates, time of arrival and departure, and credit card information. This helped to isolate the incident and allow the refund process to begin.

*This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.*

Photo Friday Winner July 9th

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Photo Friday Winner July 9th

Thank you for all the submissions we had for our Photo Friday Contest this week, we were  overwhelmed by the amount of photos we received. We love receiving photos of your vacation here in Ocean City Md.  They show Fourth of July celebrations, sibling bonding, little kids on the beach, big kids on the Boardwalk, sunny days and stormy days, and lots of happy memories being created! We have put together a selection of your pictures submitted this week, and have a winner.  This week’s randomly selected winner of 2 FREE tickets to Jolly Roger is Cari Parrish Gerke for this great photo a true little 4th of July Diva!  Congratulations Cari. Keep taking pictures of  Ocean City, and be on the look out for next weeks Photo Friday Contest.

Cari Parrish Gerke – This little Diva is Nevaeh. She is loving being here at the beach for the week!
Mandy Horsman Peters – Spending the 4th in OC for many years
Diandra Gunter – Did someone say we can take the boat out on Assawoman Bay?!
Rachel Harper – Gunner filling up our homemade beach pool with buckets from Brass Balls! We used a shower liner!
Brittany Alderson – Enjoying vacation he just started buggy boarding and has had a blast all week with some rough waves.
Karen Chance – fun times
Allison Evans – Baby Jamisons first trip to Ocean City
Wendi Dickie
Kathy Davis – What do you mean it’s time to go?
Beverly Butler – Loves her boogieboard!
Jessica Reichert – Just chilling with his buddies lol!!! #oclifeguardsrock
Jeffrey Seeman – My boy taking on the ocean
Danny Ivancich – Sunset at Northside Park
Julie Peachey – OC Banana boat
Jennifer Hughes Kuhns – Showing her some “Brotherly Love”
Melissa Fedor Hausmann – Night time at the beach!
Tracy Mertz – Relaxing
Amanda Heisey Graham – Representing two of his favorite things, Ocean City and Dumpsers milkshakes
Patricia Hassett-Hook – Cousin love at OCMD! Harlee says… my cousin Liam is cooler than yours!
Nicole DiPadova – Came down to celebrate my daughters HS graduation ! Perfect setting for some pics to remember her accomplishments ! The joy of having your sister living by the bay our Happy Place OCMD
Karen Cline Miller – My granddaughter jumping for joy to be at the beach!
Tara Bishop Reiley – Sitting on the beach and watching this boat go past.
Jennie Dennis Ritt – Blaze, the Beach Bum of The Beach Club at our dock of the bay
Danielle Blair – Two of our favorite things. French fries and seagulls
April Budrecki – My grandkids lovin the sound of the waves! Building sandcastles and memories
Moe Hckrt Rsdn – Went out on her own the saw that HUGE wave coming
Mindy Langer – Diggin’ into the sand in her personalized bucket
Carolyn Smith – Me and my high school girlfriends celebrating my 60th at The Angler happy hour
Kathy Lazor – We were there a week ago, love OC Maryland
Four of my grandson’s…
Tiffany Sanders Hessler – Finally summer!! This is Brynlee enjoying the water!! My girl loves OC!!
Sharita Tanner – On the beach with the family *2021*
Jennifer Sherdel – “Oh Brothers” Attempting to create a beach memory from years past. They may be a bit bigger, but still love to pick on their sister.
Jamie Lynn – My daughter and I had BEAUTIFUL mother daughter beach day yesterday in OC. Our family ♥️’s OCMD.
Kimberly Lynn – My Golden retriever puppy loving the OC sunsets on 94th
Bob Markulic – Riding the boards in style
Gina Bena – My sons first time fishing in the bay on a boat
Brandi Bowman – There last Thursday and this doozy of a storm rolled in!
Gammy Sharrah – Swan Lake on the beach
Karrie Condon – Been here 4 years in a row ,first time we made it all the way out on the pier
Mandy Horsman Peters – Spending the 4th in OC for many years
Michelle Sochurek – I took this pic in the rain Bayside in OC.
Gerry McNelly – Ocean City June 2021
Brooklyn Williamson – Sassy at the beach!
Martin-Peletsky Kim – On 30th street. Thunder storm over the ocean.
Amber Austin – Beach time with my bestie!
Lew Marion – Caroline jumping for joy on 133rd.
Norah Haniman – Taking a spin on the famous carousel
Dot Curran – How did gma get up there!!
Danielle Tagliavia – Our first time at Dead Freddies on the Bay last week! Great view and food!
Lisa Bragg – Brothers at the beach!
Linda Edenfield – Thankful and Blessed to be able to see such a Beautiful Sunrise
Krystle Lee – Boardwalk evening and ice cream. It’s doesn’t get much cooler!!

Tropical Storm Elsa to bring rain and wind to Ocean City

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Tropical Storm Elsa to bring rain and wind to Ocean City

(July 8, 2021): Ocean City Emergency Services is continuing to monitor the projected path of Tropical Storm Elsa. Currently, the effects of the storm are expected to be in the Ocean City area beginning in the afternoon Thursday, July 8 through Friday, July 9.

Tropical Storm Elsa’s Projected Impact on Ocean City

Tropical force winds above 40 mph are expected, with gusts reaching as high as 50 mph. Based on the current track, Ocean City could see 2-4 inches of rain and minor flooding. The potential for tornados across southeast Maryland and Virginia is possible this afternoon into tonight. The Town of Ocean City has begun completing pre-storm action items, including closing the seawall and removing items from the beach. Strong winds and large waves will also create hazardous marine conditions. Beachgoers are reminded to swim only when the lifeguards are on duty. Residents are encouraged to begin securing outdoor furniture, grills, and waters vessels and prepare for power outages.

Events in Ocean City for Thursday Cancelled

Tonight’s downtown Drone Show, Beach Dance Party and Sunset Park Party Night have been canceled. Additional storm-related updates will be posted on various websites, social media outlets, and through the Emergency Alert System.

Stay Updated with OceanCity.com

OceanCity.com will be updating our site and our Facebook page throughout the storm.

Watch the Storm from OceanCity.com’s Live Webcams on the beach and on the bay

 

Sign up for Alerts with the Town

  • City Wide Emergency Alerts: Citizens can sign up for emergency alerts by visiting: https://oceancitymd.gov/enews and subscribing to “City Wide Emergency Alerts.”

Know Your Zone

The Town of Ocean City’s Emergency Services personnel will be working closely with local and state representatives to provide citizens with timely, accurate, and essential information before, during, and after the storm. Citizens are encouraged to Know Your Zone and Division and be prepared for any impact the storm may have on Ocean City. To begin preparing, citizens should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. For more information regarding storm preparedness, please visit http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

The featured image is a screenshot from the WBOC weather app.

The 4 Best Sub Restaurants in the Ocean City, Maryland Area

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The 4 Best Sub Restaurants in the Ocean City, Maryland Area

The 2021 The Best of Ocean City® voting is closed and the winners have been announced. Subs are always popular at the beach.  If you are a sandwich lover, you are in the right place! Ocean City has numerous places to get excellent subs, but here are the Best 4 Sub Restaurants selected by the Ocean City community.

Billy’s Sub Shop

“Best Italian sub around. Can’t get something that good at home.”

Billy’s Sub Shops, aka “Billy’s on the Beach” offers extra large, extra long, delicious subs served on fresh rolls delivered from Philadelphia daily, fresh dough pizzas, subs, milk shakes, ice cream, salads, and a family friendly beach. They have kids favorites like Dino nuggets and grilled cheeses served in a beach bucket with a juice box, making eating here a fun experience for them. Although they have won the Best Subs award, don’t forget they also do a great pizza! People have been eating here for generations (they’ve been around since 1959) and many now bring their own kids to start another Billy’s family traditions.

They offer delivery at no extra charge, to your home or the beach, and you can phone ahead to place your order and they’ll have it ready for you when you arrive.

Anthony’s Carryout

Although the original owners of Anthony’s Carryout retired last year, Anthony’s Carryout is still here! Everything is good, but I’ll recommend the French Fries, the breakfast sandwiches (especially the Ham & Egg!), and the subs. You’ll notice that one large sub will easily feed four people! They are HUGE! It only takes ONE guy – at Anthony’s – to make the best burger in Ocean City!

Anthony’s Liquor

These subs all have their own names, and visitors make it their first stop in Ocean City to buy their favorite! The original store was built shortly after World War II. Wine was added to the existing beer store in 1970 and the beer & wine store was joined to the chicken carry-out in 1982, allowing customers to come in and shop instead of walking up to the counter. In 1987, the store expanded into the shopping center to the north and their full scale deli was born. Their deli now features sandwiches, home made salads, and meats and cheeses, all sliced to order. They offer quality, selection, and friendly service.

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

Billy’s Sub Shop

Each year, the staff of OceanCity.com and a group of locals go through each of the categories and give you an option we think deserves your consideration as the The Best of Ocean City® for 2021. We think you should definitely try the subs at Billy’s if you like fresh bread and meats that are sliced daily!

The perfect Fourth of July

Kristin
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The perfect Fourth of July

I’m new at the whole Fourth-of-July-in-Ocean-City thing. My parents might have taken me here for the holidays as a child, but that was so long ago that I don’t remember much, because they ultimately gave up braving the bumper-to-bumper traffic and crowded boardwalk to stay home and watch the fireworks in Annapolis. As of this year, I’m officially an OC resident and had no choice but to face the traffic and crowds, but I’m happy to report that it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I’m surprised to report that I actually had a pretty great time.

A patriotic morning margarita

An OC Independence Day novice and a worrier, I was stressed that I would end up spending the gray, overcast holiday inside with nothing interesting to report. So I looked at Tony’s 7 steps to a perfect Fourth of July, tried to follow it to a T, and ended up knocking at least a few things off my list.

I had planned to catch the sunrise and snap a few stereotypical (but beautiful) beach sunrise pictures, and ended up sleeping in instead (I did wake up when my alarm went off but then I checked the weather, saw the gray cloud symbol and used that as an excuse to go back to bed).

BUT I did follow step two: overdo it on breakfast, in that my first meal of the day was a margarita at Tequila Mockingbird. I know, who goes to a Mexican restaurant on the holiday of American independence? Sometimes you just crave a Godfather, their incredible amaretto-flavored margarita, and have to treat yourself.

Margaritas
A Mockingbird and a Godfather margarita. The salt on the rim was more pink and purple but if you squint your eyes, it almost looks red and blue.

Burgers and alternative rock

Our original plan had been to spend the day at Northside Park, so for lunch we ate at the nearby Abbey Burger and enjoyed our burgers while listening to the music provided by 93.5 The Beach, who had set up a truck outside of the restaurant. (I think this most closely follows step six: seek shelter and sustenance, although we were really seeking shelter by the time we went to the boardwalk soon afterward.)

Radio truck
Radio DJs provide Fourth of July burger-eating ambience.

Hiding out

We still had a few hours to pass before the music and fireworks started, so we decided that we’d fully explore the day’s festivities and check out what was happening by the beach and boardwalk. Which might have been for the best, because later there would be some drama near Northside Park at 145th street, where OCPD was called to shut down a fireworks display that wasn’t legally sanctioned.

I was pleasantly surprised that we had no problem getting from North Ocean City to where we ended up parking at 3rd Street. Traffic was minimal. But then we got to the boardwalk and, as expected, there were hoards of people which only grew more and more condensed as the night wore on. Walking from 3rd Street to the Inlet was like a game of Frogger, darting through families and strollers and bikes and trams, so we took shelter at Harbor Inn for the next few hours and enjoyed a few beers while the sun went down.

(Before I go on, let me confess to the worst thing I’ve done on a crowded boardwalk. We hadn’t reached the bar yet and the lines for the bathrooms and Porta Potties were spectacularly long, so I did that thing where you walk into a particularly crowded restaurant, march right past the hostess stand and pretend you’re looking for someone you’re meeting when you’re really looking for the bathroom. I want to apologize here. I know their staff would hate me if they ever knew the truth. But it was too cold to just ‘go’ in the ocean.)

Decorated bar
The bar at Harbor Inn, decked out in red, white and blue stars for the Fourth.

The perfect ending

Once it was dark out, we headed back into the night to find a spot to watch the fireworks. Around Fourth or Fifth Street, we found a section of beach that wasn’t totally clustered, so we took out our cameras, laid back in the sand and waited for the show to start. Turns out, playing Frogger at the boardwalk and beach had been well worth it. The spotlights that illuminate the sky for 100 Nights of Lights turned blue and red, and the fireworks themselves were spectacular. I love the especially big, booming ones that make you feel like you have 3D glasses on, as if they’re reaching out to touch you.

So, to sum the day up, my 7 steps to a perfect Ocean City Fourth of July would be as follows:

  1. Sleep in.
  2. Drink a really good, really flavorful margarita.
  3. Listen to a radio DJ while eating a burger.
  4. Plan on spending your day one place, and then change your mind at the last minute.
  5. Illegal bathroom usage.
  6. Drink beer.
  7. I don’t necessarily recommend you follow any of my steps, but if you don’t at least make it this one: watch the fireworks. You’ve probably seen tens or hundreds of fireworks shows in your lifetime, but to me, they’re always spectacular and I can’t imagine ever getting bored of this holiday tradition.

Profile: Mayor Rick Meehan

Logan Dubel
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Profile: Mayor Rick Meehan

By Logan Dubel

Since taking office in 2006, Ocean City’s longest-serving Mayor, Rick Meehan, has spent a lot of time on the sand, though not catching the warm summer rays like the tourists throughout the resort. Instead, the veteran Mayor travels from street to street, taking on every challenge that comes his way, along with promoting businesses and working to create a family-friendly atmosphere. Now in his sixteenth tourism season as Mayor, Meehan is ready to get back to normal and continue representing Ocean City, Maryland.

About

Role: Mayor of the Town of Ocean City (2006-Present), City Council President (1990-2006), City Councilman (1985-2006), Realtor

Hometown(s): Born in New York City, Lived in Cleveland, Ohio, and Baltimore, Maryland

First Vacation to Ocean City: 1962, Commander Hotel

First Job: 9th Street Funcade Arcade, in high school and college

Education: University of Baltimore

Meehan on the 1970s in Ocean City: If they said you could know anyone, you probably could. It was a tiny town, but as the town grew, we grew with it. It was an exciting time to be in Ocean City. We all wanted to be part of the growth.

Meehan on his Career in Government: I really liked being Council President and serving Ocean City as part of the government. As the town grew, there were important decisions to be made, and to be part of those decisions was a great experience. When Mayor Jim Mathias went to the Maryland House of Delegates, I automatically became Mayor. It wasn’t something at the time I was looking to do, but it didn’t take me long to become invested in that position and be the spokesperson for this community at every level.

The Mayors Club: I knew many of the previous leaders of the town, and I was fortunate enough to know Harry Kelly, Fish Powell, and Jim Mathias. I learned a lot from Fish Powell. I didn’t even realize until a few months ago when Mayor Jim Mathias pointed out to me that I had been the longest-serving leader, and that’s quite an honor. It’s a thank you to the people of the town for having trust in me to continue to represent them.

Mayor Meehan’s Ocean City Favorites

 Favorite Restaurants: Fager’s Island, Macky’s Bayside Bar and Grill, and OC Wasabi

Must-Stops on the Boardwalk: Funcade, Alaska Stand, and Thrasher’s French Fries

Favorite Activities: The Boardwalk! Early-morning bike rides or walks, lunch at Shenanigan’s and Franco’s Pizzeria, dinner outside, watching people pass by

Rainy Day Activity: Catch up on work – good opportunity to go inside and work because the outside is normally too enticing

Favorite Time of Year: September – many familiar faces and events

Meehan’s Message to Residents for the Summer

People forget sometimes when they live here that there are all these great things to do. Tourists are having a great time! We have to go out and enjoy all those things ourselves.

Vision

Ocean City is going to continue to grow, and we are expanding our customer base. We have an opportunity to add more special events and sporting tournaments. Opening up opportunities for families to come to town throughout the year is something we need to take advantage of, and I’m looking forward to it.

The 4 Best Pizza Restaurants in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

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The 4 Best Pizza Restaurants in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

The 2021 The Best of Ocean City® voting is closed and the winners have been announced. Pizza has always been a staple in Ocean City. It makes a great take-out meal or a late night snack. Enjoying delicious pizza will always make your day better, here are some restaurants that will definitely surprise your tastebuds.

Grotto’s

To create a market for his pizza, Dominick and his sister spent long hours talking to people and handing out free samples to those who passed by his restaurant. In July of that summer, he noticed he was starting to get many repeat guests. Local Sussex County guests and tourists from the D.C. and Maryland helped to put Grotto Pizza on the map.

Still a pizza-only enterprise, Grotto Pizza continued as a seasonal business from May through October. Customers would take pizzas home at the end of each summer and freeze them in order to have the taste of Grotto Pizza through the winter.

Trattoria Lombardi’s

Trattoria Lombardi’s Restaurant 2021

Trattoria Lombardi’s is a great Italian restaurant with a friendly atmosphere. The staff is by far superb and the food is out of this world! The owner is always there and greets the customers as they come in, which makes you feel right at home! Lombardi’s has plenty of menu options that will satisfy you even if you are a picky eater. They are known for their thin crust pizza and their delicious cannolis.

Dough Roller

During the summers of 1962 and 1963, Bill Gibbs, an Ocean City resident, was a beach boy for Breakers Hotel at Third Street on the Boardwalk. Visitors would ask him every day where to go for lunch. In 1979, Bill Gibbs had the opportunity to buy the Breakers Hotel. Bill knew the front porch of the hotel would be the perfect place for a family friendly restaurant offering pizza and pancakes. The Dough Roller was born and opened in the spring of 1980.

Dough Roller is known for its pizza and pancakes. Their delicious fluffy and golden brown pancakes and thin-crust pizza is a must try! The Dough Roller is a family and Ocean City tradition that has been shared for decades.

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

Ripieno’s Italian Restaurant

Ripieno’s Italian Restaurant 2021

Each year, the staff of OceanCity.com and a group of locals go through each of the categories and give you an option we think deserves your consideration as The Best of Ocean City® for 2021. We think you should definitely try the pizza at Ripieno’s if you like Italian style pizza made fresh daily!

The 4 Best Boat Rentals in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

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The 4 Best Boat Rentals in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

The 2021 The Best of Ocean City® voting is closed and the winners have been announced.  Relaxing on a boat, hearing the ocean beneath you is soothing. Take the family out for a relaxing boat ride and maybe catch some fish. Enjoy the rising sun or watch the breathtaking sunset. Ocean City has numerous places that you can rent a boat and go out with family. Here are some boat rentals that the Ocean City community believes are worth the try!

 

48th St Watersports

If you are looking for fun in the sun with your family, 48th Street Watersports has it all. With an amazing beachside facility on the open bay, they are recognized as having the finest location in Ocean City for water sports and beach activities. At 48th Street Watersports you will enjoy getting your feet in the sand and in the sparkling water of the beautiful Isle of Wight Bay. You may even catch one of our amazing sunsets. Not only is 48th Street Watersports Ocean City’s original stand-up paddleboard headquarters, but they are the only place in town to offer catamaran sailing instruction and rentals, as well as kayak eco-tours and paddle fitness classes.

 

Bayside Boat Rentals

Bayside Boat Rentals

 

At Bayside Boat Rentals they have a number of fun and exciting water sport options to offer. Being a family-owned and operated business since 1999 they pride themselves on catering to you and yours, by maintaining a friendly, knowledgeable, and certified staff as well as the most up-to-date, professionally serviced equipment. So, whether it’s enjoying a peaceful afternoon on a pontoon boat while fishing, crabbing, or simply sun-bathing; or it’s blasting across the waves at high speed on one of our Jet Ski or Jet Boat rentals, Bayside can make the experience unforgettable.

Odyssea Watersports

 

As a family, the Crokers, Ron, his wife Sheila, daughter Melissa, and son Timmy were interested in finding a business that they could all build together while bringing a family-oriented business to the watersports industry in Ocean City, MD. Every year, it has grown to where they now have two locations with 26 employees and 37 jet skis today! As the name became more popular and the business grew, more activities were added and they now offer paddle boarding, kayaking, pontoon boat rentals, and nighttime paddleboard glow tours! The goal has stayed the same throughout the 19 years of maintaining Odyssea as a family-owned and operated business, and to make sure each customer feels like a part of the family. Safety and customer service have been the main goals!

 

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

Bahia Marina

Each year, the staff of OceanCity.com and a group of locals go through each of the categories and give you an option we think deserves your consideration as The Best of Ocean City® for 2021.  We think you should definitely visit Bahia Marina if you would like to try an experience that will make you fall in love with the Chesapeake Bay.

Golf in Ocean City

Logan Dubel
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Golf in Ocean City

There’s more to do in Ocean City besides lounging on the beach! If you’re looking for a relaxing yet challenging activity, there is nothing better than golf. If you’re looking for a full-fledged course, Ocean City has you covered.

There are ten pro courses available for use in and around the resort.

  • Eagle’s Landing Golf Course in Berlin, Maryland, is always a favorite of visitors. Owned and operated by the Town of Ocean City since 1991, the course frequently welcomes tourists of all ages and skill levels. Eagle’s Landing features scenic views of the bay and Assateague Island, along with an abundance of wildlife. There are no memberships at Eagle’s Landing, but there is a local rewards program for year-round residents, which includes offers of discounted rates. Morning and evening tee times fill up fast, so be sure to book your slot early online or by calling the course. “We always say that we offer premium golf at an affordable price. Golf is not cheap anywhere, but we are less expensive than other premium courses,” said Bob Croll, Head Golf Professional at Eagle’s Landing. “We have an award-winning layout and are consistently voted among the top courses in the state. This is not just a great course, but one that people enjoy.” Call 443-736-2224 for more information.
  • Baywood Greens – Millsboro, Delaware – 302-947-9800
  • Bear Trap Dunes – Ocean View, Delaware – 302-537-5600
  • The Bay Club – West Course – Berlin, Maryland – 410-641-4081
  • Blue Water Golf – Ocean City, Maryland – 410-726-6255
  • Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links – Berlin, Maryland – 410-629-1414
  • Glen Riddle – War Admiral – Berlin, Maryland – 410-213-2325
  • Bayside Resort Golf Club – Selbyville, Delaware – 302-436-3400
  • Lighthouse Sound Golf Club – Bishopville, Maryland – 410-641-1189
  • Nutter’s Crossing – Salisbury, Maryland – 410-860-4653

To see more courses and deals, visit ocgolfing.com.

Ocean City, Maryland Beach Patrol information

OceanCity.com
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Ocean City, Maryland Beach Patrol information

The Ocean City Beach Patrol is an organization of men and women dedicated to ocean rescue and beach safety along the shoreline of Ocean City, Md. In what follows, we’ll provide much of the basic Ocean City Maryland Beach Patrol Information you should have to understand how the OCBP works, what it is important and how to join. Many are educators during the year including Melbourne LeRoy Arbin III, better known locally as Captain Butch Arbin, a summer guard for 40 years and head of all the “surf rescue technicians” (SRTs) who patrol the beaches throughout the summer. More than 200 men and women dedicated to maintaining a safe and orderly environment along the ten miles of Maryland’s mid-Atlantic shoreline that is Ocean City.

SRT is a title hard-earned, well respected, and often coveted title in Ocean City, Maryland. Their duties include educating the public, warning of potential dangers from rip tides to jelly fish, rescuing distressed and injured swimmers, responding to emergency situations, administering first aid, reuniting the lost with the searching, enforcing city ordinances, and miscellaneous other tasks as assigned.
The Beach Patrol or SRTs are on duty from 10 am until 5:30 pm daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day. After Labor Day and through Sunfest weekend (usually the third week in September), the Beach Patrol implements Fall schedule which includes fewer guards and fewer stands. After Sunfest, the Beach Patrol no longer mans the guard stands on the beach, but has roaming patrols on four-wheel drive vehicles that monitor the beach and swimmers through October. While the Beach Patrol strongly encourages people not to swim when SRT’s are not in the stands, they are available to lend a hand if necessary to save the swimmers who don’t heed their warnings.

Information on How to Qualify for the Beach Patrol

The lifeguards that become SRT’s are athletic, hard-working and responsible individuals who are qualified by Ocean City’s team specifically. If you want to work as a surf rescue technician in Ocean City, Maryland, contact Captain Arbin at Beach Patrol Headquarters at 410-289-7556. More information can be found at the Town’s website:

You can also email for more information toocbp@ococean.com

List of OCBP Qualifications:

  • 17 years of age or older.
  • must be able to
    • Complete a 300 meter soft sand run in less than 65 seconds (400 meter run in 80 seconds offsite testing.)
    • Complete a 400 meter ocean swim in less than 10 minutes (500 meter in less than 10 minutes offsite in a pool.)
    • enter and exit the ocean through the surf
    • Complete a series of simulated rescues in the surf incorporating the rescue buoy.
    • Complete a rescue using a cross-chest carry and victim removal techniques.
    • Complete a medley of 150 meter run, 100 meter swim, and a 150 meter run.
    • Complete a tower transport of the SRT chair a distance of 20 meters.
    • Complete a series of basic lifesaving skills in which you perform holds and releases in a controlled water setting.
    • Complete a personal interview.
    • move an unconscious person of 150 lbs.
    • see for 400 meters
    • hear and locate a whistle blast from 300 meters
    • speak and read English

 

Once a candidate meets the necessary physical requirements, the Ocean City beach patrol trains for the job in an 8-day surf rescue academy. All necessary skills, techniques, procedures and protocols will be taught during this paid training program. Topics include open water rescue, beach patrol policies and procedures, basic oceanography, use of rescue equipment, first aid, CPR, semaphore communications (series of signals using flags), radio protocol, and physical training consistent with the demanding nature of being an Ocean City life guard. Following graduation from the academy, potential SRTs will have 3 weeks of supervised probation. Only those that graduate from one of the most rigorous training program in the nation will be allowed to sit on the lifeguard stands you see on the beaches in Ocean City, Maryland.

SRTs in the Ocean City Beach Patrol have to re-certify each year. Lt. West Smith is the Beach Patrol’s Director of Training — he is also a professor at the University of Miami — and will be the primary contact during the training and recertification processes.

Ocean City Maryland Junior Beach Patrol
Members of the Ocean City Maryland Junior Beach patrol.

Junior Beach Patrol Information

For those under 17 who think that the Ocean City Beach Patrol is something that might interest them, there is the Junior Beach Patrol program that mimics the training and activities of the certified SRTs.. Registration for this program begins in early March and is a four day program offered each week beginnin in July and running through mid-August. There is also a one afternoon introductory camp offered on Thursdays. More information is available from the Recreation and Parks Department at 410-250-0125.

Beach Safety Presentations

Every Sunday morning at various locations along the ten mile Ocean City beach, Surf Rescue Technicians will give a brief overview of Ocean City and the beach environment. They will tell spectators about the weather and beach conditions for the day and will be available to answer any questions.

Public Education Outreach Programs

Just when you thought the Ocean City Beach Patrol spent all their time training and working on the beaches in Ocean City, you learn something new: the participants offer activities, programs, speakers, and seminars to various groups such as boy and girl scouts, church groups, camps, schools, and civic organizations. They will conduct water safety demonstrations and talks not just in Ocean City, but throughout the region. They also provide tips and strategies for keeping children safe on the beach and in the ocean. If you are interested in this program and a speaker from the Ocean City Beach Patrol, contact them at 410-289-7556 or email them at ocbp@ococean.com.

Surfing Beaches

During the off-season, surfing along Ocean City’s beaches is not controlled. During the high season, however, surfing is only allowed at certain beaches during the hours when the beach is guarded. Please click here for more information on the surfing beaches in Ocean City, Maryland.

Contact Information:

Town of Ocean City Beach Patrol

109 Dorchester St.Ocean City, MD 21842
410-289-7556

All Fireworks Canceled After Unintentional Explosion

Logan Dubel
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All Fireworks Canceled After Unintentional Explosion
Video of the explosion was caught on video by Gilly Gene @GillyOfThe412, right on the Beach.

Independence Day 2021 was supposed to mark a return to normalcy in Ocean City, but after an accidental release of fireworks on the beach, that is surely not the case. Downtown fireworks were initially canceled and now other displays uptown at Northside Park as well as at Seacrets have been called off out of an abundance of caution. For those who watched the fireworks detonate Sunday morning, those are the only displays they will see in the skies of Ocean City this Independence Day.  Fireworks at all three locations were managed by the same vendor, Starfire Corporation.

In a statement early Sunday afternoon, the Town of Ocean City noted that the cause remains unknown and that safety is their top priority. “A perimeter around the fireworks site has been established and will remain in place until the safety inspections are complete, which could take several days.  At this time, areas of the Boardwalk have also been closed to pedestrian traffic until a thorough safety inspection has been completed.” According to Councilman Peter Buas, the Boardwalk is now back open following seven hours of hard work.

The Ocean City Fire Department says that at approximately 10:15 a.m., they received a call for a vehicle fire at Dorchester Street and the Beach. The area was immediately evacuated and a significant portion of the downtown beach remained cleared for hours as a result of the mishap. Approximately four blocks of the Boardwalk were closed. When crews arrived, they did not see a vehicle fire but instead saw that fireworks intended for release tonight had accidentally discharged and exploded. Initial reports indicate that while taking out the fireworks from the Ryder truck carrying them, one firework accidentally discharged, leading to others exploding as well.

Sunday evening on the Boardwalk. Photo courtesy of OCDC Executive Director Glenn Irwin.

Employees of the fireworks company suffered minor injuries but refused transport to the hospital. No beachgoers were injured.

Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers noted that safety precautions were in place, and those actions helped avoid any major injuries, “Prior to the fireworks being off loaded from the vehicle, Fire Marshals secure a safe zone around the fireworks and put other safety protocols in place,” Bowers said. “It is this very zone and safety protocols that kept anyone else from being injured.”

Employees from Starfire Corporation were unavailable for comment on Sunday afternoon. This is the first time the company worked with the Town of Ocean City to put on a fireworks show. After these events, it is possible it will be the last. Celebration Fireworks, the company previously responsible for displays in the resort, backed out of the Ocean City show due to constraints on their business as a result of the pandemic. In April, Ocean City Today reported that the company hoped to focus on smaller shows in the Pennsylvania region amid staff layoffs. At the time, council members voted unanimously to approve Starfire Corporation’s agreement for Independence Day 2021, and already considered hiring them for future events based on the success of July 4th. The company, also located in Pennsylvania, previously bid on the contract.  After Sunday’s mishap, it is likely the town will be looking for a new vendor for New Year’s and Independence Day 2022.  Unfortunately, the massive failure for the estimated $65,000 show, a $10,000 increase from last year’s contract, is a “performance” people will never forget.

Fireworks in Ocean Pines, managed by a different vendor, went on as planned at 9:15 p.m. Despite many reminders that the resort prohibits fireworks, many independent illegal displays continued throughout Sunday night.

Updates

Monday Morning 

Click HERE to watch the video, courtesy of Gilly Gene @GillyOfThe412.

*This story is developing, stay tuned for updates*

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