Multiple Manatee County public safety agencies participated in a full-scale marine search and rescue training exercise near Bean Point and Longboat Key, simulating an emergency involving a missing swimmer or boater.
The exercise began with a simulated 911 call, requiring crews to determine the person’s last known location, deploy rescue boats and coordinate search efforts across the surrounding waters.
Participating agencies treated the drill as an actual emergency, practicing communication, response procedures and coordination between marine rescue teams.
Holmes Beach Marine Unit Sgt. Joshua Betts said this was the first year agencies conducted this specific training exercise, with plans to hold similar drills more frequently to improve proficiency and response times.
The training allowed crews to identify potential challenges and refine procedures in a controlled environment before responding to real-life emergencies.
Marine search and rescue operations are time-sensitive, as prolonged exposure to water can quickly turn a rescue situation into a recovery operation.
By training together, participating agencies aim to strengthen communication, improve coordination and reduce response times when emergencies occur in Manatee County’s coastal waters.
