Families visiting Vanderbilt Beach now have a new beach-safety resource. Vanderbilt Beach Ocean Rescue Tower 29 gives lifeguards an elevated view of water conditions and gives beachgoers a visible place to seek safety information or assistance.
North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District officially placed the tower in service during a Sept. 4 dedication ceremony at Vanderbilt Beach. The new tower supports the district’s Ocean Rescue lifeguards as they monitor swimmers and changing conditions along the Collier County coast.
How does Tower 29 help families at Vanderbilt Beach?
From Vanderbilt Beach Ocean Rescue Tower 29, lifeguards can watch changing water conditions and identify swimmers who may be in distress. The elevated position can also help them intervene before a developing problem becomes an emergency.
The tower also gives families an easy-to-recognize place to approach a lifeguard. Beachgoers can ask about conditions, get safety information, or request assistance before entering the Gulf.
For parents, that makes the tower useful even when no rescue is underway. Checking with a lifeguard before swimming can help families understand conditions that may not be obvious from shore.
What beach-safety steps should parents follow?
North Collier Fire is reminding families that lifeguards and rescue equipment are only part of staying safe around the water. Parents should continue taking basic precautions every time children visit the beach.
- Check current beach and water conditions before swimming.
- Understand beach warning flags and follow lifeguard instructions.
- Keep children under constant supervision around the water.
- Remain within designated swimming areas.
- If you have questions, ask a lifeguard about conditions before entering the Gulf.
Conditions along Southwest Florida beaches can change, so families should make safety decisions based on what is happening that day. Lifeguards at Vanderbilt Beach Ocean Rescue Tower 29 can provide current information while they are on duty.
What else should families know before visiting?
The Sept. 4 ceremony also included local and state officials and members of North Collier Fire’s Ocean Rescue team. After the dedication, lifeguards raised the green beach-condition flag and the tower was officially placed into service.
For families throughout Collier and Lee Counties: check the flags, watch children closely, and ask a lifeguard when you are unsure about Gulf conditions.