Rotary Club Donation Helps Manatee County Launch Beach Patrol Drone Program on Anna Maria Island
The Manatee County Beach Patrol will soon have a new high-tech tool to help protect swimmers and beachgoers along Anna Maria Island’s coastline, thanks to a $25,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island.
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved a consent agenda item on June 16 accepting the donation and authorizing a budget amendment to purchase a Brinc responder drone for Beach Patrol operations.
The drone is designed to support first responders by providing a remote-controlled aerial view of emergency situations. Equipped with high-definition and thermal-imaging cameras, the device can assist in locating drowning victims, missing persons and other individuals in distress. It also includes a loudspeaker for communication and GPS tracking capabilities to relay precise location data to emergency crews.
In addition to surveillance and search functions, the drone can be outfitted to deploy flotation devices and deliver automated external defibrillators to offshore vessels or remote locations where immediate assistance may be needed.
The total cost of purchasing and operating the drone is estimated at $28,798 during the first year and approximately $27,999 annually thereafter, resulting in a projected five-year cost of $140,794.
The Rotary Club’s contribution will cover most of the first-year expenses. The donation aligns with the club’s ongoing efforts to improve water safety on Anna Maria Island through partnerships that provide swimming lessons and water safety education to children during the summer months.
The initiative gained momentum following two fatal drownings near Bean Point in 2025, an area of the island that does not have lifeguard coverage. Community leaders viewed the drone as a way to improve emergency response times and enhance safety in areas where lifeguards are not stationed.
According to Beach Patrol Chief Chet Brown, the technology will allow responders to quickly assess emergencies before arriving on scene. Calls frequently originate from areas north of the island or between Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach, where lifeguards are not regularly present.
The drone will be based at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach, providing a central launch location. From there, it can reach Bean Point in approximately four minutes, significantly faster than the roughly 15-minute response time required for personnel traveling on foot.
Beach Patrol currently has two Federal Aviation Administration-certified drone operators, with three additional staff members undergoing training. The department expects the drone to be purchased and delivered within the next 30 to 60 days.
County officials and Beach Patrol personnel believe the addition of the drone will strengthen public safety efforts, improve situational awareness during emergencies and provide another layer of protection for residents and visitors enjoying Anna Maria Island’s beaches.
