Ocean City cautions beachgoers of lifeguard shortage as seasonal employees head home

Ocean City Beach Patrol is reminding beachgoers that the number of lifeguards will decrease as many seasonal employees head home to prepare for the start of college.

While there will be no unguarded areas of the beach, the number of available lifeguard towers will change, as will the location and distance between stands.

Despite reduced weekday coverage, Ocean City Beach Patrol will have returning lifeguards to allow for increased patrol stands on the weekends. To manage the reduction in lifeguards, beach patrol will increase the number of mobile rescue units patrolling the beach to assist with coverage.

The decrease in lifeguards typically begins the third week of August and is largely due to the start of college classes, according to city officials.

Ocean City Beach Patrol will be on duty daily between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. through Sunday, September 22.

Beach Patrol suggests all beachgoers take extra precautions and swim near a lifeguard stand as well as restrict any beach or water-related activities to times and locations when and where beach patrol personnel are on duty.