Boater Rescued After Multi-Agency Search in Ocean City

Ocean City, MD - A boater was safely rescued from the waters south of the South Point boat ramp on the evening of November 19, 2025, following a large-scale, multi-agency search operation.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police (NRP) was alerted about an overdue boater. The NRP requested assistance, initiating a coordinated response from multiple agencies.

The Ocean City Fire Department's Fire Boat 1 joined the search, alongside resources from the Ocean Pines, Berlin, and Stockton Fire Companies, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command, National Park Service Rangers, the United States Coast Guard, Worcester Emergency Services, and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office.

While searching the area, the crew of Fire Boat 1 detected the boater on their FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) camera. They observed the boater flashing a light toward their vessel from approximately 500 yards away. Using the fire boat's advanced navigation and search technology, the crew pinpointed the boater's exact location.

This information was relayed to the Maryland State Police Aviation - Trooper 6 helicopter. The aviation crew then illuminated the boater and his vessel from the air, guiding a nearby boat to make contact. The boater was assessed and safely transported to shore.

Deputy Chief Derrick Simpson praised the response, saying, "This rescue truly highlights the skill and readiness of our marine response team and the critical capabilities of Fire Boat 1 in challenging conditions. Our strong partnerships with Maryland Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Police Aviation, and our neighboring fire companies, and others were essential in bringing this operation to a safe conclusion."

The Ocean City Fire Department reminds all boaters to follow safe-boating practices. These include sharing a float plan, setting a designated return time, carrying proper communication devices, wearing life jackets, monitoring weather conditions, and avoiding boating alone when possible.