EC-SAR is a volunteer-based maritime search and rescue organization located in the Tampa Bay area.
The Eckerd College Search and Rescue Team (EC-SAR) is a unique volunteer-based organization, which provides maritime assistance to the boaters of Tampa Bay. EC-SAR works closely with the US Coast Guard, 911 Emergency Medical Response, and other state and local agencies, and receives more than 500 calls each year. The team responds to virtually any sort of distress, disaster, or problem imaginable.
05/14/2026
THANK YOU to the Rotary Club of the Gulf Beaches for their generous donation to EC-SAR! We are grateful for the opportunity to speak with the Club, sharing information about our special team and the services we provide to the boating community. Their continued support through their annual gifts helps us remain ready, available, and prepared to respond when needed.
Thank you again to the Rotary Club of Gulf Beaches for supporting our program!
04/30/2026
This week, we are proud to recognize Smyth and his crew as our Crew of the Week!
Under the supervision of his instructor, Smyth used a tow-alongside setup to land a vessel in need of assistance at the boat ramp. Smyth demonstrated precision boat handling as a Coxswain trainee and strong crew coordination. The case went smoothly, and the skipper was guided back to shore safely.
Congratulations to Smyth and crew on a job well done!
04/17/2026
Wearing a properly fitted life jacket, or personal flotation device, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay safe on the water. Every person on board should have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Check the fit, inspect your gear regularly, and make safety part of every trip. A life jacket can make all the difference when it matters most.
Stay safe. Stay prepared. Stay afloat
04/15/2026
Our trusted Alumni AND STUDENTS continue to give! We are more than half way through EckerdGives2026, and we still have work to do. Remember, the goal is # of donors, not a dollar amount, so ANY GIFT COUNTS. If you still haven't made a donation to the Waterfront, please do so by going to this link: https://eckerdgives.eckerd.edu/p2p/656956/krista-park-b2c02a6c-0211-4f19-89fb-ae257a65da47
Thanks to our recent donors Jennifer Lindley, Emily Foard, Tonya Womack, Josh Annarelli, Emil Sandrowicz, Margs Musson, Chris Andrisani, Jayden Jech, Hal Sullivan, Damien Dowling, Lydia Cox, Kevin Dickson, Tyler Massey, Dom Campanella, Fielding Grasty, Scott Ferrara, Greg Mino, Ryan Dilkey, Makenzie Cromley, Garrett Hickman, Natalie Gransky, Gianna McKinley, Calista Lundell, Gianna Damico, Lori, Caddoo, Ben Caddoo, Alana Buffardi, Dominique Lazarre, Matthew Erdos, Michael Kingsford, Amy Ohnstad, Mark Schreiter, Bex Meadows, Nancy Bertling, Bill Schmidt, and John Freeman.
Krista Park '22's Ambassador Profile | Eckerd Gives 2026 Help Krista Park '22's ambassador efforts for Eckerd Gives 2026
04/08/2026
Last week, Eckerd College Search and Rescue assisted the FWC Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL) and ZooTampa in the rescue of two manatees in the St. Petersburg area.
At Coquina Key, an adult male was found lethargic and underweight in a residential canal. He also had a boat strike injury to his tail. He was safely captured and transported to ZooTampa, where he is being treated.
During that response, additional reports came in from Coffee Pot Bayou, where a smaller male was located resting in shallow water near a freshwater outfall. He was also lethargic, underweight, and had visible skin lesions. EC-SAR aided MMPL and Zootampa in its capture as well.
04/07/2026
We’re proud to announce the launch of Rescue 2 following its renaming ceremony. This 19 ft Livingston catamaran, powered by a 115hp Yamaha, is the newest addition to our fleet and will serve as our shallow water response boat. We’re excited to see Rescue 2 in action!
04/03/2026
Thank you to everyone who came out for the Eckerd College Search and Rescue annual Yard Sale! Your support made this year’s event a huge success. We are looking forward to next year's sale, see you then!