A hammerhead shark has been seen swimming close to the shore in Ocean City over the past two days leading lifeguards to temporarily close portions of the beach to swimmers.

The shark is believed to be hurt, according to Capt. Butch Arbin of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

"We do believe that there's something wrong," said Arbin. "It’s either sick or injured. But it's very visible from the beach."

Since Wednesday afternoon, the shark has been spotted in shallow water near the shore or on the beach at varying times and locations, from the Ocean City Pier to 60th Street.

Arbin said it's normal procedure for beach patrol to close areas of the beach if a hazard is spotted, be it marine life or something else. 

"Lifeguards aren't treating it any different than other items they see in the ocean," he said.

Arbin said most shark experts view the hammerhead species as fairly docile "although it's one of the most feared because it looks menacing," he said, referring to the shark's distinctive shape.

He said that while it's unusual to see a shark so close to shore in Ocean City, seeing marine life is normal at the beach. Earlier this week, a different hammerhead shark gave birth to pups on the beach near 145th Street before washing ashore in Fenwick Island.  

Arbin said the sightings shouldn't keep visitors out of the water. He encouraged beachgoers to pay attention to lifeguard instructions and to check-in when they arrive on the sand.

Speaking by phone from the beach near North Division Street, Arbin said many people were enjoying swimming and playing in the water on Thursday.

"If people really worry about their safety," he said, "they should use the crosswalk on Coastal Highway and get off the beach when it's lightning instead of arguing with us."