Our hearts are heavy as the search for a missing 19-year-old boogie boarder in Ocean City has officially transitioned to a recovery mission. The teen disappeared Monday afternoon in the surf near 10th Street Beach, and despite days of intensive search efforts, he remains missing.
According to Ocean City police, as of 2:05 p.m. Thursday, the missing swimmer had not been located. The decision to shift from rescue to recovery reflects the difficult reality facing first responders and the teen's family after nearly four days of searching.
The incident unfolded just before 5 p.m. Monday when the teen and a friend ventured into the water on boogie boards. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the two were approximately 200 yards from shore when trouble struck. While Ocean City Beach Patrol successfully rescued one individual, the second person—the 19-year-old—went missing.
The rescued friend provided crucial information to first responders, explaining that the missing teen lost his boogie board before being struck by a wave. Tragically, he failed to resurface after going under.
The search effort has been nothing short of exhaustive. Local rescue workers joined forces with state police and Coast Guard crews, deploying every available resource—drones scanning from above, boats combing the waters, divers searching below the surface, and helicopters providing aerial support. The coordinated response demonstrates the commitment of our emergency services to bring closure to this family.
Moving forward, Ocean City police confirmed they will continue the recovery mission in collaboration with members of the Ocean City Fire Department and Beach Patrol, along with additional first responders as needed.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the ocean's power and unpredictability, even for experienced swimmers and boarders. As our community awaits resolution, our thoughts remain with the missing teen's family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.
