Whale Approaches Ocean City Beach, Stuns Sunbathers

OCEAN CITY, MD — Beachgoers lounging in Ocean City were caught off guard recently when a beautiful whale was spied just off the Maryland coast. Hundreds of startled people watched the whale breach the water several times, a majestic sight to see.

Todd Carrick shared a video of the whale's playful antics on his “My Three Sons” You Tube page. Carrick, who’s from Anne Arundel County, was in a condo near 110th Street when he shot the footage.

"What an amazing experience! We have been coming to Ocean City, MD, for probably 30+ years and never have had a whale sighting like this! Just a few hundred feet off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland, beach a huge whale entertained us with numerous breaches and a few jumps," Carrick shared on his YouTube posting.

Sadly, not every beautiful water dwelling creature ends up frolicking for life in the ocean. More than a dozen aquatic animals find themselves stranded on Maryland's inland and ocean coasts every year. Maryland's Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding program staff handle these call in state waters, including the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.

Marine animals are protected under federal law, while turtles and whales are protected under the 1973 Endangered Species Act. The law prohibits any form of capturing, collecting or harassing these aquatic animals (either dead or alive).

If you find a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle, here's what to do:

• Do not touch the animal – even if it is dead.
• Call Maryland's Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program at 1-800-628-9944.
• Record the location using latitude/longitude, a street address, and/or description with landmarks.
• Record the length, size, color, noticeable body parts and movements (if alive).
• Take photos of the animal.
• Stand by the animal until a stranding staff person calls or arrives.