OCEAN CITY, Md.- A new facility for helping stranded sea animals opened its doors in Ocean City.
The facility is the product of teamwork with the town of Ocean City and the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
Prior to this facility's establishment, stranded animals on Ocean City beaches requiring basic care had to travel all the way to Baltimore. With the new center in place, the distance for crucial assistance has been drastically reduced by 175 miles.
The center is named after Chuck and Ellen Erbe, two long time volunteers with the aquarium.
Chuck Erbe cut the ribbon to the new facility- and expressed the profound impact this center would have had on his wife, who lost her battle with cancer.
"I know she's looking down and she's pleased that I'm here," he said. "It would have been a whole lot nicer if she'd have been here with me... it's a joint thing."
Despite its compact size, the facility is fully stocked with everything necessary for the care and rehabilitation of marine animals. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan applauded the addition, emphasizing its positive impact on the town.
"It's going to give the sea life a better chance. And I think that's really what the mission was and the stranded marine animals, instead of having to travel 175 miles right away before they're evaluated, they can be brought right here," Mayor Meehan said.