Missing Swimmer Turns Up Okay In Resort

OCEAN CITY – The identity of an intoxicated man who reportedly disrobed and entered the ocean near 49th Street last week, touching off an extensive search that included the U.S. Coast Guard, is still not known, but local officials are confident he did not remain in the water and is likely okay.

Shortly after 1 a.m. last Thursday, the Coast Guard was initially notified by Ocean City Police about an intoxicated man in the ocean after a witness reported the individual took his clothes off and entered the water and did not return. OCPD officers found clothing on the beach consistent with the witnesses report, but there was no identification in the clothing.

Coast Guard crews from Station Ocean City and Air Station Atlantic City were deployed and a conducted a search of the area throughout the early morning hours before the efforts to find the missing man were suspended. The individual was never located, but resort police do not believe he met his demise in the ocean. An intoxicated man matching the description of the naked swimmer was reportedly later seen running on the beach about four blocks north of where he reportedly entered the water.

OCPD spokesman Pfc. Barry Neeb said this week the man was never identified, nor was he apprehended, but the police remain confident it was just a drunken episode on the beach and that the missing man is likely safe somewhere.