Life Jackets and Whistle Save Two After Jet Ski Flips

When a jet ski flipped in Ocean City's bay on Saturday afternoon, two people found themselves treading water far from shore. But thanks to two simple pieces of safety gear, they made it home safe that same day.

At 2:20 p.m. on April 18, the Ocean City 911 Center received a call about an overturned jet ski near Madison Avenue and the bay. The Ocean City Fire Department rushed to the scene alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and Maryland Natural Resources Police.

Rescue swimmers entered the water from land and kept eyes on the two struggling in the waves. Within minutes, Fire Boat 1 arrived and pulled both people safely aboard. Neither needed medical attention.

What made this rescue so fast? The two people did something right that many watercraft riders skip. They wore properly fitted life jackets and carried a whistle.

The Bright Side

Fire Chief Josh Bunting didn't mince words about how differently this could have ended. "Because they had the proper safety equipment, crews were able to locate them quickly," he said. "The outcome could have been much different without it."

That whistle, probably purchased for just a few dollars, cut through wind and wave noise to guide rescuers straight to them. The life jackets kept them afloat and conserved their energy while help arrived. These weren't expensive high-tech gadgets. They were basic safety tools that anyone can afford and carry.

The rescue is now serving as a teaching moment up and down Maryland's coast. The Ocean City Fire Department is using the incident to remind everyone heading out on personal watercraft to gear up before they start the engine.

Spring and summer bring thousands of visitors to Ocean City's waters, and not everyone thinks about safety before the fun begins. This story proves that a few seconds of preparation can mean the difference between a scary story and a tragedy.

Both rescued individuals walked away that day to enjoy the rest of their weekend, and their smart choices are helping save lives they'll never meet.