Robert S. “Bob” Craig (1918-2009) began his career as a lifeguard with the Ocean City Beach Patrol in 1935 and served as captain from 1946 until his retirement in 1986.
Captain Craig is credited by many with molding the Ocean City Beach Patrol into the professional organization it is today. He introduced semaphore to the patrol, hired the first female guard and stressed knowledge of waves and rip currents as well as requiring each guard to be a strong swimmer. Many guards of his era recall the hardest part of their tryout to be breaking the holds of Captain Craig as he played the role of a drowning victim.
When he retired in 1986, it is reported that over 120 lifeguards — nearly the full patrol — lined the street leading to his home and blew their whistles and waved their flags in respect as he drove by. It is unlikely that anyone will ever break his record of over 50 years of service to the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
Photo courtesy Liz Dare