PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Coast Guard crews in Ocean City, Md., responded to two search-and-rescue cases and assisted local authorities in the pursuit of a man attempting to evade police Wednesday night.
The Coast Guard was notified at 8:50 p.m. Wednesday of a surfer caught in a rip tide about 200 yards from shore. A Coast Guard 25-foot boat crew from Station Ocean City, an HH-65 helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City, Maryland National Resources Police, and State Police searched for the surfer. No one was found and no missing persons have been reported.
A Coast Guard 47-foot motor life boat and a helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City responded to a report of a flare witnessed by a bystander near 66th street in Ocean City. Crews searched but no one was found in distress.
In addition, the Coast Guard was notified at 12:12 a.m. today by the Ocean City Police Department requesting assistance with the pursuit for a man who jumped off the Ocean City Pier and swam in an attempt to evade authorities. A 21-foot boat crew from Station Ocean City transported three police officers to Assateague Island, Md., where they searched for the suspect. The suspect was not located.
“Last night was an excellent example of inter-agency cooperation between federal, state, and local agencies,” said Chief Petty Officer Gene Daigle, executive petty officer of Station Ocean City. “If local law enforcement ever needs any assistance, they don’t hesitate to ask us, and when we need assistance, we don’t hesitate to ask them.”
