Monthly Beach Report
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For Jaycee Park, Humiston Park, South Beach Park
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 | 86,680 |
| Preventative Actions | 2,289 |
| Minor Medicals | 15 |
| Major Medicals | 4 |
| Rescues | 2 |
| Average Water Temperature | 82 |
| Beach Erosion | Minimal |
| Stinging Marine Life | Moderate |
*Does not include extended hours statistics
General Conditions
July 2019 beach attendance did not break the July beach attendance record of 93,000 set in 2018 possibly due to the consistent afternoon thunderstorms and very hot conditions which may have keep people off the beach. Consistent easterly winds have contributed to some seaweed being deposited on the beach. The average ocean water temperature has risen to 82 degrees with periods of upwelling (the process in which deep, cold water rises to the surface) when ocean temperatures plummeted to 68-70 degrees for a few days. Upwelling usually occurs for a few days in May/June then again in August. Many more sea turtle nests were created compared to the previous month. Lifeguards responded to 19 medical calls of which 4 were serious enough that the patients were transported to the hospital. Most of the serious medical emergencies were heat related. Lifeguards rescued 2 inexperienced kayakers from the water bringing the total number of water rescues to 14 in 2019 which is far less than the 25 people rescued from the water year-to-date by the end of July 2018. Volunteers from the VBLA continued to install marker buoys on the PEP reef which runs along Central Beach. All three guarded beaches within the City limits started extended hours on Sunday, May 26th. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9am to 7pm 7 days a week during the summer.
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
City of Vero Beach lifeguards, Indian River County Fire/Rescue, Vero Beach Police Department, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, FWC, United States Coast Guard and and Indian River Shores Public Safety conducted a multi-agency beach emergency training exercise on July 9th to better prepare and coordinate their efforts for future emergencies on the beach.
Lifeguards started extended hours on May 26th. They will be on duty until 7pm during the summer months which will keep our beaches safer.
| JULY EXTENDED HOURS (5-7pm) STATISTICS | |
| Total Park Attendance | 15,110 |
| Preventative Actions | 385 |
| Minor Medicals | 2 |
| Major Medicals | 0 |
| Rescues | 0 |
Orange and white marker buoys have been installed on the Prefabricated Erosion Prevention (PEP) reef which extends from Humiston Park to The Village Spires along Central Beach. These buoys may prevent swimmers from being injured by the reef as it is located within the surf zone at a very popular section of beach.
The City of Vero Beach has pledged $75,000 to help build the lifeguard tower and command center at Humiston Park. With help from Coastal Technology Corporation, Hoos Architects, Mills Short Engineers, Farrow Construction, 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
Some patrons are complaining about the amount of seaweed on the beach. Seaweed is a natural occurrence and part of a healthy beach ecology. Removal of the seaweed may weaken the beach’s foundation, prevent the formation of protective dunes and increase beach erosion.
Some dog owners are bringing their dogs on the beach. It is against City ordinances to bring dogs on any of the City’s beach parks or traverse over public beach accesses with dogs unless the dog is a “handicap assisted” animal. Many dogs are off their leashes which pose a hazard to beach patrons and sea turtle nests.
As beach attendance grows more people are outside the guarded areas increasing the likelihood of accidents and drownings.
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, fatigued 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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