OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
AUGUST 12, 2016
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
SPORTS
43RD WHITE MARLIN OPEN After three days of fishing, a 76.5-pound white marlin holds top spot and worth $2.4M – Page 45
FREE
Resort crews join effort in Ellicott City Teams dispatched knowing time could come when roles would be reversed
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
KNOTTY ISSUE
Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary teach attendees of the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum's Children’s Day on the Bay at Sunset Park, Sunday, how to tie nautical knots.
Suggested drone regs won’t fly Police commission told federal rules take precedence over local enforcement efforts
By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Aug. 12, 2016) While the Federal Aviation Administration has fine-tuned its drone regulations, it also has relaxed several requirements, including who can legally fly one — and where. After examining the federal rules that will roll out on Aug. 29, local law enforcement officials reported to the Police Commission that the crucial policy change in which a
license would be required to fly a drone. “It clearly defines what kind of license and regulatory authority has over drones,” Capt. Mike Colbert said on Monday. “They do have to have a drone operator license, which is less than a what a pilot would need for an airplane, but it’s more than a guy going down to Walmart and picking up a $1,100 drone kit. Hobbyists who don’t use their aircraft for commercial purposes, however, need no license, according to the new FAA regulations, although they must abide by all other rules. See OCPD Page 7
Elusive obstacle in channel remains mystery
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Aug. 12, 2016) The Coast Guard issued an advisory earlier this week to boat captains and anglers in town for the annual White Marlin Open after multiple reports of vessels
striking a large sunken obstacle. On Monday, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Larry Johnson said the Maryland State Police Dive Team attempted to locate the obstacle thought to be floating beneath the surface in the east channel
between the Route 50 Bridge and Harbour Island. “They plan is to see if they can find it,” he said. “If they do find it, they will re-float it. They call it ‘bagging it.’” See UNKNOWN Page 11
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Aug. 12, 2016) Exposed as it is to all sorts of weather, Ocean City appreciates what can happen when these elements turn against it, and that’s why it has sent help to Ellicott City, where flash floods on July 30 claimed the lives of two people and wiped out the city’s historic district. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a rain gauge maintained by Howard County near Ellicott City recorded nearly six inches of rainfall in a twohour period preceding that night’s flood. ‘Our time is going J o e to come and we Theobald, want to make sure Ocean City we help our emergency services direc- neighbor because tor, said perthey’re going to sonnel from help us. the city joined — Joe Theobald in the cleanup efforts last weekend and will continue to assist as needed. “I believe everyone in the state is well aware of the devastation in Ellicott City due to the flooding,” he said. “Ocean City always steps up and tries to help other municipalities because we know that our time is going to come and we want to make sure we help our neighbor because they’re going to help us.” Resisting the urge to jump in feet first, Theobald said the city coordinated its efforts through the state. “We want to make sure we work through the protocols of the state and do it correctly because they don’t need people showing up who have not been assigned a task because it would just be more chaos,” See OC Page 11