Margate Beach Patrol Headquarters at Decatur Avenue.
MARGATE – After an ocean rescue Sunday, June 30, firefighters and lifeguards have issued a reminder to beachgoers that they should not attempt to swim in the ocean after-hours or without a lifeguard present. Beach hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Members of the city’s ALERT crew (Afterhours Lifeguard Emergency Response Team) rescued a man on a boogie board who was unable to get to the shore at 6:15 p.m. Sunday after lifeguards had left the beach.
According to a release from Fire Chief Dan Adams, the Fire Department responded to the call of a man in distress in the ocean, but when they arrived, the ALERT crew had already responded with three lifeguards using a paddleboard and two torpedo flotation devices. Lifeguards Ty Coffey, Shane Dickson and Brady Newell were able to bring the man to shore. He was unharmed.
Beach Patrol Chief Greg Smallwood initated the ALERT crew program in 2018 and Sunday was the first day the team was scheduled this season, Adams said.
The crew includes three lifeguards assigned to Beach Patrol Headquarters at Decatur Avenue to be available for afterhours emergencies on weekends – Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The crew is dispatched with fire department personnel for any afterhours responses to ensure emergencies are handled quickly, Adams said.
Nevertheless, firefighters and lifeguards, who put their lives on the line to save others, advise swimming only during beach hours when lifeguards are present.
