Melbourne JayCees...Red Cross...Lifeguards...Indialantic...
In the summer of 1957, the Melbourne JayCees started a project to place Red Cross Life Saving Buoys along South Brevard Beaches. A young Air Force enlisted man from Patrick AFB had recently drowned in Indialantic. There were no Lifeguards in 1957. The buoys would be used to help people in danger of drowning, or caught in an undertow.
The plan was to hold JayCee work parties to build pole mounted boxes in which to place Red Cross Torpedo Buoys. Ten to twenty Buoy Stations would be placed on the beaches in Indialantic, Melbourne Beach and Canova Beach. The buoys would be available for emergencies all year, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Work parties need supplies. The JayCees plan included obtaining poles, lumber, nails and paint from local businesses. The plan included acquiring Torpedo Buoys from the Red Cross. The plan included placing the Buoys at frequently used locations along South Brevard beaches. JayCees, local businesses, local communities and the Red Cross were enthusiastic about the plan. All parties supported and participated.
The Plan worked. It worked very well indeed. Buoy Stations were designed, built and erected on South Brevard Beaches. Red Cross Torpedo Buoys were readily available to the public for emergencies.
The JayCee plan did not fade away. In fact, it grew. Next, the JayCees and Red Cross developed a plan for providing Lifeguard Service on the beaches. A qualified Lifeguard Captain was needed to lead the service, enlist the Lifeguards and schedule the service. The Red Cross identified one person who was a qualified Red Cross Lifeguard Captain. A JayCee met with him at the Cape (CCAFS) Fire Station where he worked. He agreed to participate as Captain of the Lifeguard Service. JayCees and the Red Cross agreed to provide support, provide Lifeguard towers and other equipment as needed. Funds for paying Lifeguards would be solicited by the Jaycees.
One way the JayCees proposed to acquire funds was to collect donations from people visiting Indialantic beach. To do so, JayCees obtained permission from the Town of Indialantic to cover the beach parking meters with paper bags inscribed with the words, "Park Free. Donate to the Lifeguards". JayCees and volunteers were present to solicit donations from people using the beach. Visitors gladly made donations.
This plan resulted in placing Lifeguard towers on Indialantic beach where they were manned by qualified Lifeguards. The Captain handled all personnel matters including supervision and scheduling. The Red Cross qualified candidates to be Lifeguards. JayCees solicited funds locally and provided funds to the Captain to pay the Lifeguards.
The JayCees erected a flag pole on the beach at the end of Fifth Avenue in Indialantic. Signal Flags were raised by the Lifeguards to the benefit of the public.
Lifeguards were on the beach and in their towers, ever watchful. The public was protected as never before.
Still the effort went forward. It became apparent that such a service should be provided by a county organization. The JayCees, Red Cross, Indialantic and many others prevailed upon Brevard County to take more responsibility for providing Lifeguard Service for the beaches. Since then, and now, fifty three years later, there is seasonal Lifeguard Service for the beaches. EHChandler...
