Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Monthly Beach Report for July 2018 - Vero Vine

Vero Beach Lifeguard Association

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Monthly Beach Report For

Jaycee Park / Humiston Park / South Beach Park

July 2018

Our Mission:

To promote lifeguarding and water safety in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities

Email: VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com

Website: www.VBLA.org

STATISTICS

Total Park Attendance 92,649

Preventative Actions 1028

Minor Medicals 33

Major Medicals 1

Rescues 1

Average Water Temperature 82

Beach Erosion Minimal

Stinging Marine Life Moderate

General Conditions

The July beach attendance record was broken. The previous record was set in July 2017 with 84,500 patrons. There were huge crowds at the beach during the 4th of July. The ocean water temperature has risen a few degrees to an average of 82 despite a week of “upwelling”. Upwelling is when colder water from deeper depths rises to the surface. Waves and tides have carved out a steep incline in some areas of the shoreline as sargassum seaweed continued to wash ashore. (The seaweed is an important part of the health of the beach and its ecosystem). Water visibility was excellent for many days until lobster mini-season when poor visibility hampered the harvest. Baitfish pods were running along the shoreline attracting larger fish such as tarpon and sharks. Lifeguards closed the water on numerous occasions when larger predatory fish, attracted by the bait pods, came too close to shore. Sea turtles continue to lay their clutches of eggs up and down the coastline. Lifeguards responded to 34 medical calls in July and had to rescue one swimmer from the Breconshire wreck bringing the total number of swimmers rescued from the water to 25 in 2018.

All swimmers are advised to pay close attention to beach condition signs and flags, swim near lifeguard towers and avoid swimming during non-guarded hours.

Areas of Progress

The Vero Beach Police Department has increased their beach patrols. With help from Minuteman Press, Coastal Technology Corporation, Hoos Architects, Mills Short Engineers, Farrow Construction, City of Vero Beach Recreation Department, and City Council, VBLA’s goal of giving our lifeguards the ability to see more of the beach and react to emergencies faster by building a lifeguard tower and command center at Humiston Park is progressing.

Areas of Concern

As beach attendance grows, more and more people are outside the guarded areas increasing the likelihood of accidents and drowning. FWCC regulations require any diver or snorkeler to use a dive flag when in the water. Without a dive flag, there is an increased likelihood of a collision between a diver and vessel. During lightning storms, it is strongly advised that the public evacuate the beach and seek shelter. Only strong, experienced swimmers with floatation devices and/or a vessel accompanying them should attempt to swim to the Breconshire wreck. The wreck is 650 yards from Humiston Park and 450 yards off the coast of Costa d Este Resort. The distance and currents are deceiving causing some swimmers to have difficulty during the attempt.

Key

Park Attendance: an estimated count of park attendees to include boardwalks within each park and areas immediately north and south of each park

Preventative Actions: stopping potential incidents before they occur

Minor Medicals: a medical incident which is treated on-site by lifeguard/EMT personnel

Major Medicals: a medical incident that required Emergency Medical Services

Rescues: Any water-related emergency to include rip current rescues, fatiqued swimmers, surfing, kiteboarding and/or boating accidents.

About VBLA

This report is furnished by the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, a non-profit, 501C3 organization. Its mission is to promote water safety and lifeguarding in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities. Contact us at VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com or (908)797-8725. Visit us at www.VBLA.org. Donations are appreciated. Monies raised are used to purchase equipment, supplies, and training for the lifeguards from the city of Vero Beach. Please send donations to: VBLA, 1351 White Heron Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

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