Atlantic Beach police are adding a remote-controlled marine drone and aerial drones to their toolkit for rescuing swimmers in distress, especially during the months when lifeguards are off duty.

The City Commission authorized the purchases using a $50,000 grant and a separate charitable donation, the Beach Gazette reported Wednesday, Sept. 16.

City Manager Kevin Hogencamp said the deal includes a three-year contract with Skydio Inc. for an aerial drone system at $44,020.27 and an unmanned marine system from Hydronalix Inc. at a one-time cost of $18,659. The combined price tag: $62,679.27.

The $50,000 grant covers most of that cost. The remaining balance will come from the fiscal year 2025-26 Police Department budget.

The commission also unanimously approved a second aerial drone for police investigations, funded by a donation from the Ray and Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust. Mayor Curtis Ford said representatives of the trust, which supports law enforcement initiatives, contacted him about the opportunity.

Lifeguard coverage gap outside summer months

Atlantic Beach Ocean Rescue employs more than 40 seasonal lifeguards from April through September, according to the department's 2024 annual report. That leaves the fall and winter months without dedicated beach coverage.

Lt. Chase Jamison of the Atlantic Beach Police Department said officers have responded to multiple incidents over the years involving swimmers caught in trouble when no lifeguards were on duty. He said the equipment will strengthen the city's ability to assist in water-based rescues.

"Our police officers are certainly trained in a lot of things. Ocean rescue and water rescue is not one of them," Jamison said. "Those are some of the most dangerous things that they do, so this is a very good tool to not only help ocean rescue staff, but also help law enforcement and JFRD staff at the beaches."

Officers will deploy drones during joint rescue calls

The equipment will be stored at the lifeguard station. When a 911 water-rescue call comes in, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) and Atlantic Beach police respond jointly. Officers will be responsible for deploying the drone.

Ford said the setup means a police officer arriving at the beach could get a flotation device to a drowning victim without waiting for a lifeguard.

In 2024, Atlantic Beach lifeguards watched over 71,865 beachgoers, performed 17 rescues and responded to 35 medical cases, according to the annual report. No deployment date for the new drone equipment has been announced.