Cocoa Beach officials have selected the Rotary Club of Cocoa Beach to manage lifeguarding equipment on city beaches, replacing the non-profit Drown Zero after a legal dispute over ownership of the devices. The decision comes as the city seeks to restore life-saving rings removed earlier this year during a protracted legal battle. Mayor Keith Capizzi said the city’s longstanding relationship with the Rotary Club influenced the choice, though the move has drawn criticism from some residents who supported Drown Zero’s efforts to prevent drownings.
The orange life rings, once a common sight along Cocoa Beach’s shoreline, were removed in March after the Rotary Club filed a lawsuit against Drown Zero, claiming ownership of the stations and equipment. The Rotary Club alleges it funded the initial installation of the devices, while Drown Zero disputes this, arguing it developed the program independently. The legal dispute led to the removal of dozens of rings just as the area experienced an increase in water-related emergencies, including several drownings.
City officials said the new agreement with the Rotary Club aims to provide a permanent solution to the safety gap left by the equipment’s absence. The Rotary Club will now be responsible for maintaining and replacing the life rings, a role previously held by Drown Zero. However, the shift has left some residents confused, as Drown Zero had been a visible presence on the beach for years, often staffing the stations during peak hours.
Capizzi emphasized the city’s focus on resolving the legal issues to ensure the equipment returns to the beaches. 'We need a clear path forward,' he said. 'The Rotary Club has a history here, and we believe they can help us move past this dispute.' Meanwhile, advocates for Drown Zero say the group will continue its work in other areas of Brevard County, though they remain concerned about the impact of the legal battle on beach safety.