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| Huntington and Bolsa Chica State Beach -Rescue Boat Operations- |
| Rescue Boat operations at Huntington and Bolsa Chica State Beach utilize one SURFWATCH rescue boat at each facility. During the summer, surfwatch rescue boats patrol up and down the coast of Huntington and Bolsa Chica State Beaches. They provide an extra eye with a different perspective of the water as well as provide back up to the tower guards during rescues. |
| Daily Operations: Each day throughout the summer, our Surfwatch boats are out in full force. They have proven to be an exceptional resource. With their speed they are able to back up any tower guard up and down the beach within seconds of being notified, and punch through the surfline in a hurry when drastic measures are needed. Our Surfwatch rescue boats also provide additional water coverage up and down the beach, particularly when a guard goes on a rescue. In addition to basic rescue equipment such as rescue tubes and fins, each Surfwatch rescue boat is stocked with first aid supplies, backboards, and dive equipment. Because of this, the Surfwatch boat crews are able to effect a multitude of rescues. |
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| Training: The Surfwatch rescue boat crews are highly trained and have many years of lifeguarding experience under thier belts. Each deckhand/skipper goes through additional training specific to the rescue boat. They are given extensive instruction in basic boating, boat maintenance, dive rescues, boat rescues, and additional skills required to effectively back up the tower guards. One of these skills is shown in the small video clip above and to the right, where the skipper will position the boat at the edge of the surfline, to allow the motion of the boat to "flip" the deckhand off the stern into the wave, and allow him to actually bodysurf the wave to the victim. |
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| Some Interesting Facts:
- The first Surf Watch rescue boat was obtained in 1964. - Each Surf Watch rescue boat is staffed with a skipper and deckhand. - The Surf Watch boats utilize twin Mercusier engines. - Surfwatch's speed tops out around 43 knotts. |
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