OCEAN CITY — A low-flying private sector helicopter buzzing over the north end of Ocean City that created a stir on Thursday is being deployed by Delmarva Power over the next few weeks around the resort area to perform aerial inspections of transmission lines.

Beginning last week, Delmarva Power started to perform aerial inspections of various transmission lines across the shore at locations in Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware and Worcester County in Maryland including Ocean City. On Thursday, the helicopter was seen flying at a low level in the north end of Ocean City, causing both concern and curiosity for residents and visitors.

Similar aerial inspections by the utility company were also performed in the spring in and around the resort area. The helicopter on Thursday was doing reliability and preventative maintenance inspections in Ocean City and will continue to do so. Over the next several weeks, the helicopter will likely be seen flying at lower than normal levels to analyze the poles, wires and associated equipment.

By Thursday afternoon, for example, the helicopter crew was covering a circuit in the area of 138^th Street in Ocean City. Haverfield Aviation is handling the work for Delmarva Power and is flying a Hughes MD500 helicopter with the tail number N8353f.