It’s History by Fred Miller

Right: The 26-foot surf boat is on display in the station.

Below: John Loeper is president of the U.S. LifeSaving Service Heritage Association.

Life-Saving Station #30

BY FRED MILLER

THE following is from the U.S. Life-Saving Station 30 brochure: “Standing at the corner of 4th and Atlantic is U. S. Life-Saving Station 30, one of only four in New Jersey. In 1886, the building stood next to the sandy shore at the turn of the inlet. Surf men protecting sailors, ships, and any others from the ravaging waves lived in the station while off duty from their demanding job. Back then there was an average of three shipwrecks a month. The job of the surf men was so demanding that the motto of the US Lifesaving Service was, ‘You have to go out; you don’t have to come back; so others may live.’ “Today, the Life-Saving Station stands as a living history museum. Visitors can walk through the two-story building as the surf men did some 130 years ago. The kitchen, dining room, and boat house are all filled with period pieces. History is ready to come alive at Lifesaving Station 30.” The U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association will be holding their annual conference October 20, 21, 22, 2022 in Ocean City. The meeting will end with a dinner at the historic Flanders Hotel.

Above: Station 30 is located on the corner of 4th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Left: John Loeper and Fred Miller meet at the station to plan the October national meeting.