Exh 3BAGENDA ITEM #3B
MAY 14, 2001
Memorandum
To:. Mr. Jim Hanson, City Manager
CC: Tommy Lee, Lifeguard Captain
. ~-
From: David E. Thompso~Chief of Poliee/DPS .
Date: 05/03/01
Re: Use of Jet Ski for Lifeguards
Background:.
Polioe~ _.
The Atlantic Beach Lifeguard Corps was the first organization of its kind to work
out a'Jet Ski loaner program with Kawasaki. In the 1990s, the local Kawasaki
dealership provided a Jet Ski for the Atlantic Beach Lifeguards to use. Atlantic
Beach Lifeguards had the opportunity to utilize the watercraft over a period of
several years to assess and evaluate it's usefulness and applicability in life saving
operations.
A personal watercraft (Jet Ski is actually a trademark) has its usefulness to the
lifeguard corps. However, its applications are very limited.
Uses:
A personal watercraft is particularly helpful in situations involving other vessels.
When Hobie Cats, sailboats, or other vessels are damaged, inoperable, or manned by
incompetent sailors, then a personal watercraft is very helpful. A personal
watercraft can be used to tow vessels away from the surf. The waves in the surf may
damage, sink,. and destroy vessels, and the situation may create dangers for people in
the surf. The personal watercraft can also be used to transport people into shore
from distressed vessels.
A personal watercraft is very helpful for retrieving rafts, floats, or other items that
are caught in strong winds or currents off shore. It is sometimes dangerous to
pursue these items without some type of vessel.
Limited Uses:
AGENDA ITEM #3B
MAY 14, 2001
May 3, 2001
In an ideal situation, a personal watercraft appears to be a good mechanism for water
rescue. It would provide a motorized, quick response to people in trouble. The
personal watercraft does not haue a propeller which would endanger people
swimming close to it, and it would provide a fast response through the water.
However, when subjected to more intense scrutiny, there are a number of problems
which limit or impede the rescue process.
Personal Watercraft can not be left in the water where they will be immediately
accessible and ready to respond to an emergency. Due to the waves, a personal
watercraft must be located out of the surf. It can be left on trailer on the beach, and
in an emergency, it can be deployed into the water. This type of deployment
requires time and manpower to get the watercraft into the surf and headed out into
the water for a rescue.
In the event that a lifeguard gets the watercraft into the surf and rushes to the victim,
there is a problem with the rescue. Personal watercraft are not designed for rescue
operations, and they aze not equipped to transport people. This means that a rescue
board or similar device will be needed for emergency transport. This simply means
that the response to get to the victim is going to be more cumbersome because
another device will be necessary.
In many cases, victims in the water need help, in the water. This requires someone
to get into the water with the victim. A personal watercraft staffed with a driver and
a lifeguard would be the best way to respond: The passenger/lifeguard could jump
into the water to assist the victim.
Timing is a critical factor. Under ideal conditions, an emergency takes places
straight out from the beach. The lifeguards put the watercraft into the water with
whatever emergency equipment is needed, and the lifeguard(s) speed out to the
victim. I am sure that this looks impressive on a stop watch.
However, we know that emergencies are going to occur at locations far from the
watercraft. If the watercraft was stationed at the lifeguazd station, then it would
need to trave12.5 miles to an emergency in Oceanwalk. If the watercraft was
located at a midpoint of the beach, it would still need to travel a_significant distance
to reach a victim at either end of the beach.
In reality, most rescues on the beach are going to be conducted the same way that
they have been conducted for yeazs. The lifeguazd on the chair will see an
emergency, and he/she will respond immediately to the victim. This lifeguazd will
reach the victim before a personal watercraft can respond to the scene.
AGENDA ITEM #3B
MAY 14, 2001
May 3, 2001
Inappropriate Uses:
Policing other watercraft is typically not an appropriate use for a lifeguard personal
watercraft. Lifeguards do not have any. enforcement authority, and attempting to use
a personal watercraft to police other boaters is not practical or advisable.
Recreational use is inappropriate for the lifeguards. However, it is difficult to tell
the difference in "playing" and training when a lifeguard is honing his skills on the
watercraft (which looks a lot like playing). The public perception of a lifeguard
running up and down the surf with a personal watercraft, it sometime suspicious.
Expenses:
A personal watercraft can be an expensive investment for the beach. The purchase
price of a watercraft is merely a down payment on the device. A watercraft must be
maintained according to a recommended schedule. The people authorized to operate
a watercraft must be trained, certified, and maintain proficiency on it. Adding
lifeguards to staff the watercraft and be ready to respond at a moment's. notice
requires additional funding. A watercraft must have a trailer for transportation, and
operators must have equipment including vests, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, radio,
and similar items. These expenses can become quite costly for a personal watercraft
program.
Summary: A personal watercraft has some useful applications for the lifeguards in
Atlantic Beach. It also has a number of limitations and expenses that should be
considered before investing in such a device. At this time, the acquisition of a
personal watercraft is not a high priority for the lifeguards.