What happened to the Life-Saving Stations and their equipment?
A. Advances in technology and communications eventually made the stations unnecessary and obsolete. The development of the helicopter especially changed the nature of rescue at sea. By the 1950’s many of the stations were closed and much of the equipment destroyed. Only stations similar to Ocean City that were located in major population areas survived. Many stations were abandoned to vandals and the elements. The Ocean City station, when replaced by a modern Coast Guard Station, was used for many years by the Town of Ocean City and eventually moved to its current location to save it from demolition. There it has been restored and is maintained as a museum and monument to the many brave men who so competently served as life-savers.
