The "OCBP: Saving Lives Is Their Business" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Standing next to the lifeguard stand on the 10th Street Beach at Ocean City, NJ trying to get a few shots of my grandkids in the water.  The water is very rough today and the riptides are making the lifeguards more observant of all the bathers.  One young girl sitting atop the lifeguard chair looked down at me, smiled and asked if I got any good shots yet.  "You bet, including the one I just snapped of you," I told her.  I admire the lifeguard staff of any beach along the Jersey Shore.  Their job is tireless and one of the most taxing, yet perhaps boring at times, of all jobs along the bevy of beaches that line the New Jersey coastline.  

The 1938 OCBP

We have been visiting Ocean City since our oldest granddaughter was a young toddler.  We have witnessed a few "saves" that most times could have been avoided if the bather had just paid attention to the water conditions and the warnings of the lifeguards.  Twice on the day I was taking my photos the lifeguards had to make rescues of bathers who wandered too far into the water and were caught in the riptides.  The guards risk their own lives in order to save and protect the lives of all those who frequent the beaches along the shore.  And, I'm sure they aren't compensated as well as they should be for protecting the lives of the thousands of yearly beachgoers.  

Lifeguards practice rescue methods on the beach.

The lifeguards of Ocean City, NJ have always been some of the best on the Jersey shore.  I found an article a few years ago in an Ocean City newspaper telling that the city's beaches were the safest bathing beaches along the New Jersey coast in 1924.  Got me wondering what year the beach patrol was established along the New Jersey shoreline.  

An early lifeguard competition at an Ocean City beach.

I was able to find that the U.S. Life-Saving Service began in New Jersey in 1848 when Congress appro- priated money for surf boats and other equipment necessary for the preservation of life and property from shipwrecks off the coast of New Jersey.  Then in 1855 a "constable of the surf" was appointed.  When the Atlantic City boardwalk was opened in 1872, an organized volunteer lifeguard service was formed.  Atlantic City, New Jersey established the first paid lifeguard squad in 1892 while Ocean City began their protection of bathers in 1898.  

Lifeguard John Doerr poses with his
war-surplus hat in 1945.

Both beaches, as well as perhaps many others, have used the three-sided lifeguard booths since the 1920's.  The booth I am standing next to today is one such stand.  Ocean City's beach is approximately 8 miles in length and is the largest area of guarded beach in South Jersey with 42 life guard stands and over 160 lifeguards.  The Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) is actually a branch of the city's fire department and is led by the fire chief.  A few interesting facts I uncovered about the OCBP included: In 1921 an exercise class was held on the 10th Street beach with a lifeguard leading the class; In 1929 the OCBP placed an outboard motor on one of their lifeboats; The same year the OCBP endorsed a sun screen cream for the lifeguards; In 1934 the OCBP used the crossed oars over a ring buoy for their logo for the first time;

Lifeguard station at 1st Street and the Boardwalk.

In the same year the National Life Guard Tournament was held in Ocean City; and also the same year a surfboard was used for ocean rescues.  During WWII many of the younger men of our nation were in the armed forces and older men were needed for the lifeguard corps.  After the war the average age of lifeguards dropped.  

The official OCBP clothing at Henry's.

Today life guard competitions still continue with guards from many of the shore points gathering to compete in physical competitions, both men and women.  Lifeguard attire hasn't changed much over the years with the male guards wearing a tank top and trunks.  OCBP was the last patrol in the nation to allow guards to take off the tank tops.  The female guards wear a one-piece suit.  While walking the boardwalk you can find the official outfit of the OCBP at Henry's which is a jewelry store on the south end of the boardwalk.  My granddaughter Courtney has a bright red OCBP sweatshirt that can be seen a block away.  My thanks go out to all those who guard our beaches keeping my family and myself safe while on vacation.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The friendly lifeguard at the 10th Street Beach. 

The OCBP logo.