Ocean City Beach Patrol (NJ) (Images of America)

Ocean City Beach Patrol is the story of the elite group of men and women who serve as guards along the sandy beaches and gently rolling surf of Ocean City, an eight-mile-long barrier island off the coast of southern New Jersey. Although the coastline slopes gradually into the sea and the water is generally calm, deadly rip currents and strong undertows can occur at any time. Thus, the lifeguards often risk their lives to protect the thousands of bathers enjoying these waters each summer.