Life-saving flotation devices known as Drown Zero rescue stations have been removed from Cocoa Beach, eight days after two people drowned in a suspected rip current. The temporary removal comes amid a legal dispute between Drown Zero and the local Rotary Club. Vice President Scott Widerman confirmed the move, citing an expired agreement and ongoing litigation as the reasons. The stations, which provided flotation devices and drowning prevention tips between lifeguard towers, had been in place for years. Some signs remain on county beaches and private properties, but those within Cocoa Beach city limits are gone. The stations were initially part of a collaboration between the Rotary Club and the City of Cocoa Beach, but that agreement has expired. A lawsuit between the two groups is currently in court, complicating efforts to renew the partnership. Widerman said Drown Zero hopes to negotiate directly with the city to reinstall the signage. The removal has raised concerns among residents, who rely on the stations in areas where lifeguards are not stationed. The distance between some lifeguard towers can be as far as a mile, leaving gaps in coverage. The city has not commented publicly on the dispute. Drown Zero’s vice president said the company is working to resolve the legal issues and restore the stations as soon as possible. Meanwhile, beachgoers are being urged to stay alert and use caution near the water. The incident has sparked calls for increased safety measures along the coastline. The outcome of the lawsuit could determine whether the stations return to Cocoa Beach. For now, the absence of the devices leaves a gap in emergency preparedness for the area.