History
Beach rescue operations in Cape May began officially around 1845, when rescue ropes were hung on bathing houses. Later on, whaleboats “manned with stout hearts and ready hands” were stationed off the beaches for the summer season. By 1865 the larger hotels hired crews to man surfboats during bathing hours. Rivalries developed between these crews, and lifeboat races were often held to entertain seasonal guests.
In 1911, the City of Cape May hired its first paid, professional lifeguards to protect bathers under the direction of Captain Tom Keenan. Throughout the years the personnel, uniforms and equipment have changed, but the objectives and purpose has remained the same: to provide Cape May’s beach patrons with the highest degree of professional lifeguard services.
Current Administration
Supervisor Of Beaches Harry J. Back
Chief Geoff Rife
Captain
Lieutenant Terry Randolph
Lieutenant Tom Wyatt
Lieutenant Pete Pietras
Lieutenant David Draus
Lieutenant Scott Delenick
Lieutenant Xavier Moran
Former Captains
1911-1919 Tom Keenan
1920-1923 George Little
1924 Mike Marshal
1925-1929 Lindell Ashburn
1929-1930 Rutherford Baker
1931-1933 Dudley Briant
1934-1941 Bud McAdams
1942- 1943 Sol Needles
1944 Ed Woman
1945-1946 Fred Piacentine
1947 Rutherford Baker
1948-1980 Clete Cannone
1980 Jack Schellenger and Ron Owens
1981 – 2017 Harry “Buzz” Mogck
2017 – Position of Chief was created.
2017 – 2020 Chief Harry “Buzz” Mogck, Captain Geoff Rife
2020 – Present Chief Geoff Rife,
Former Lieutenants
Lindell Asburn, Powell Hughes, Nickey Nelson, Joe Haggerty Sr., Norm Brown, Louis Elwell Sr., Norm Bowen, Ed Homan, Fred Piacentine, Pete Franisconi, Chick Hawkins, Joe Sharp, Harry Gilbert, Harold Cannone, Arnold Cannone, Jack Schellenger, Ron Owens, George Wallace, Eric Fussell, Ralph Atwell, Chuck Patterson, Sam Downes, Bill Oat, Harry Back, Bill Keller, Kyle Donohue, Geoff Rife, Chris Knipe