Drown Zero, a nonprofit that maintains life-saving flotation rings across Brevard County, removed its stations from Cocoa Beach in early April after its agreement with the city expired and emergency signs were taken down. The group cited the expiration of a contract and the removal of signs directing swimmers to call 911 in emergencies as reasons for the removal. The stations, which had been in place for years, are now gone from the beach, leaving lifeguards and residents without a visible drowning prevention tool. Two people drowned in Cocoa Beach on April 14, the day before the city removed the signs, according to Drown Zero. The nonprofit says it had an agreement with the city to operate the stations, but officials say no contract ever existed. 'You can't put stuff on city property without an agreement,' said Scott Widerman, vice president of Drown Zero, in a text message. 'We had an agreement. Everybody knows we were involved.' The Cocoa Beach Rotary Foundation is also involved in the dispute, suing Drown Zero for claiming ownership of the stations, which the Rotary Foundation provided to the city. City Manager Wes Mullins issued a brief statement on April 21 saying there was 'misinformation regarding any relationship' between the city and Drown Zero. The nonprofit has not returned calls for comment. The signs on the stations previously displayed large text instructing swimmers to call 911 in emergencies, with smaller text below listing a donation number for Drown Zero. The city says it removed the signs after the drownings, but Drown Zero claims the action was retaliatory. The dispute has left Cocoa Beach without the rings, which had been a visible safety measure for swimmers. Lifeguards say the absence of the stations could increase the risk for swimmers, especially during peak tourist season. A court hearing is scheduled for May 12 to resolve the ownership dispute. For now, the beach is left with empty posts where the rings once hung, and no clear plan for replacing them.