By MADDY VITALE
This was definitely an extremely busy summer for the Ocean City Beach Patrol, with rough surf, rip currents, rescues and medical calls.
And despite being down about 15 to 20 lifeguards at the height of the season, instead of the typical 180, the team did an outstanding job to keep bathers safe, OCBP Director Allan Karas said in an interview Tuesday.
“I think this was a successful season. Obviously, the staffing was lighter, like everywhere, we need more, but our guards and EMTs were phenomenal,” Karas said.
Karas, who was hired for the summer of 2021 to oversee the lifeguards, works with Beach Patrol Chief Mark Jamieson and the rest of the patrol to ensure that everyone is doing what they need to do.
On June 30, lifeguards from the Beach Patrol’s Rapid Response Team and fire and police personnel all responded to Fifth Street beach to rescue a father and son. And the saves continued throughout the summer.
“It is a very busy Beach Patrol because it is so big,” Karas said of the miles of beaches that needs to be guarded.
But, he noted, that the downtown beaches from Fifth Street to Ninth Street, especially are concerns, because that is where many of the day trippers go.
“Downtown always is busy on the beaches because it is a day population. There are parking lots there,” he said, adding that the visitors park and go right up to the beaches in that area.
The afterhours rescues, he noted, do not necessarily mean after guards are done for the day. In the peak of summer, often certain popular beaches remain guarded until 8 p.m. In those cases, the rescues there are included in the afterhours statistics, Karas explained.
“We had quite a few afterhours rescues always between Ninth Street and Fifth Street,” he said. “They are mostly day trippers. Other areas are more residential, and people go home for dinner.”
Karas said there are dangers and concerns at any and all the beaches if the waters are rough.
“In the south end, the water is a little different. It can be calm, and then it isn’t,” he said.
This summer, it went from being very quiet on that end of town, to busy because of rip currents and churned-up surf.
“We got calls for service and it was busy nonstop,” Karas added.
He also noted that the Beach Patrol also responds to Corsons Inlet, which he said can be precarious. Boats and jet skis use that area to launch.
“It’s some bad water there at times. We staff our guys there with a jet ski,” he pointed out.
Karas said the exact figures for afterhours rescues as well as medical emergencies will be compiled in the coming weeks.
“We are compiling the year-end numbers and I think it will be in the hundreds,” Karas said. “I think we will be up on medical calls and light on rescues because of better lifeguarding and prevention.”
The Ocean City Beach Patrol, unlike some others, staffs full time EMTs that are members of the patrol, but not lifeguards. They respond specifically to calls for medical emergencies.
“We run a full-time EMT program,” Karas said. “For us, it is one of the best things we do. We provide a comprehensive service to the beach patrons. We have EMTs assigned to each district during the summer pre and postseason.”
The Beach Patrol has 12 to 15 EMTs on throughout the summer from, nurses and firefighters, along with other professionals trained as EMTs. They are from other communities and make up an integral part of the Beach Patrol, Karas said.
The Fire Department still responds, however, to take over and also handle transportation if needed.
Karas said he is looking forward to a great summer of 2023.
“We are gearing up for all sorts of things next summer. This was a great summer for saves and handling of medical calls, but next year, we will have an even better summer,” he said.
Karas, who is a retired agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, was an Atlantic City lifeguard when he was growing up.
He said he is happy to work with the team at the Ocean City Beach Patrol and the city. He added that Mayor Jay Gillian has been very supportive of his work.
“This is a great group of people,” he said. “They do great work. I like being here, and I plan on being back next summer.”
The following beaches will be guarded through Sunday, Oct. 2:
8th Street
9th Street
12th Street (Saturday & Sunday only)
34th Street (Saturday & Sunday only)
The Ocean City Beach Patrol strongly urges bathers to swim only at guarded beaches. If you have any questions, call 609-525-9200. For information on guarded beaches, visit www.ocnj.us/ocbp.
