The Beach Patrol Division’s staff is tasked with the responsibilities of victim rescue, emergency response and ordinance enforcement on Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach. Due to our knowledge base and proximity to the Manatee River, Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay, the division's personnel are often seen responding to incidents on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key communities and even inland to some of our lakes and river areas.
In conjunction with the duties listed above, Beach Patrol personnel also deal with a wide array of other situations along the 17 plus miles of coastline, such as:
- On-scene emergency medical care and transport to awaiting medic units
- Medical response to water and land borne emergencies outside of beach boundaries
- Lost person searches
- Stranded boater assistance
- Evacuations of island communities and other low lying areas during times of emergency
- Dive rescue
- Traffic control
Lifeguards are on duty 365 days a year at both Coquina, Cortez and Manatee Public Beaches with future hopes of expanding coverage. The covered hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m Labor Day thru Memorial Day and 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Memorial Day thru Labor Day (summer).
If you would like to have a member of Beach Patrol speak at your
school, civic group meeting or agency, please call Chief Westerman at
941.749.3500 ext. 8355.
We can tailor drowning prevention and water/beach safety related presentations to fit your group.
If
you are a Fire, Police or Emergency Medical Service department or an
educational institution, we offer training that may help your first
responders. Please call for details.