OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Beach Patrol gathered on the beach by the First Street Lifesaving Station Tuesday evening, June 27, to swear in its rookie class, announce promotions and take a group portrait for 2023 – the 125th year the OCBP is protecting bathers in America’s Greatest Family Resort.
The OCBP swore in 44 new lifeguards who have completed their training and announced promotions, which included Erich Becker as the new chief of operations.
Along with Becker, Daniel Casey and Holly Lesser were promoted to deputy chiefs; Madeleine McCabe, Justin Southard, Greg Bradley and Paul Boardman were promoted to captain; Amanda Grau was promoted to EMS captain; and Matthew DiMarino, Alexander Oves, Liam Garbutt and Matthew Yeager were promoted to lieutenant.
J. Allan Karas, director of operations for the OCBP, announced the promotions.
Becker spoke to the assembled guards, welcoming the new recruits as “fellow rookies” because he, too, is in his first year as chief. He told them he is incredibly proud of the new class based on what he saw and what he heard from the instructors at rookie camp.
“We have the good fortune to have an extremely talented pool of candidates to add to our OCBP family,” he said, adding that the strong leaders and veteran guards will guide them with the wisdom they have accumulated from returning year after year. They will teach the rookies work and life lessons and become friends and mentors.
Becker talked about learning how much fun being a lifeguard could be – something he found out after completing rookie camp when he was 45 years old – going to inner-city competitions and races, supporting co-workers, celebrating wins and suffering losses together as true teammates do.
Then he made clear the important and serious responsibility they have: protecting lives, saving lives, helping people and reuniting lost little ones with their families. At that point, he said, the guards will get to work with the “heroic, compassionate and knowledgable EMS staff.”
Becker let the rookies know they are often the face of Ocean City because of the enormous amount of people who come into contact with them.
After noting the support the City of Ocean City has been to the OCBP, he gave them a clear reminder of their responsibilities with a refrain that emphasized their most important role.
“Be on time,” he said.
“Protect your bathers.
“Take pride in the way you look.
“Protect your bathers.
“Always carry your can.
“Protect your bathers.
“Have your stand down by the water.
“Protect your bathers.
“Keep your swimmers inside the green flag.
“Protect your bathers.
“Practice your radio skills.
“And above all protect your bathers.”
2023 OCBP Rookies
Jared Bascio
Kyle Bell
Matthew Bell
Brian Brady
Ava Brennan
Connor Brennan
Bryce Briemann
Noah Brown
Matthew Brown
Brett Callahan
Chloe Care
Julia Cullen
Lana Davidson
Matthew DeRose
Jake Dobson
Jacob Garrow
Chase Guidi
Connor Haines
Grant Halliday
Wade Hudak
Gavin Legos
Francis Mastroni
Jack McFarland
Andrew Morgan
Julianna Nardone
Daniel Neary
Sofia Petrov
Luke Rautzhan
Ryan Redmond
Dakota Rennix
Hayden Rubin
John Ruggieri
Alexander Savov
David Schultz
Jamie Shields
Ava Soscia
Jay Stokes
Jacob Texter
Oliva Waldron
Jason Walsh
Nathan Watson
Andrew Wells
Wes Wilson
J.C. Witchko
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
