History

The Eckerd College Search and Rescue Team (EC-SAR) is a unique co-curricular program that cannot be experienced at any other educational institution in the US. The team was founded in 1971 in an effort to provide safety services for the college's watersports activities. In 1977, EC-SAR extended its rescue services to the Tampa Bay boating community. EC-SAR received its first test of international proportions when the team was one of the first rescue units to respond to the Skyway Bridge disaster in May of 1980. The program has since grown to become one of the most respected search and rescue organizations on the west coast of Florida.

Today, members coordinate the utilization of four rescue boats through an operations/communications center located in the Waterfront Activities building. EC-SAR assists an average of 500 vessels each year, including:

• Responding to Pinellas Count 9-1-1, Maritime Rescue Calls as a First Responder in EC-SAR's service area.
• Towing
• Firefighting
• Searching for overdue vessels
• Pulling vessels from aground
• Dewatering sinking vessels

For More Information

We invite you to contact us and arrange a tour of our facilities and an opportunity to meet some of our students. Group multi-media presentations at your meeting and in-water demonstrations are also available. If you are interested in attending Eckerd College and would like to learn more about becoming a member of EC-SAR, we encourage you to contact us. Please call or write to our address below:

Ryan Dilkey
Coordinator of EC-SAR
Eckerd College Waterfront Program
4200 54th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
(727) 864-8365 or
Email: dilkeyrd@eckerd.edu