Lead Lifeguard Justin Broman aboard the rescue vessel accompanied by his team of Sunny Isles Beach Lifeguards during a mock rescue. (Photos by Mike Tribby)

With the help of Officer Hayton from the Aventura Police Department, Officer Picone, from the City of Golden Beach, and Ms. Pamela Sweeney from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Marine Animal Rescue Society, we invited students from all over the State of Florida. The seminar was open to not only law enforcement and first responders but also to marine advocates and concerned citizens.

The classroom session grew to well over 85 students from Big Pine Key to Martin County. We had a large contingency of marine patrol officers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission employees, United States Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, lifeguards and a host of civilians.

We held the workshop at the Pelican Park Community Centers 1st floor meeting room located at 18115 North Bay Road in Sunny Isles Beach. My thanks go out to Ms. Simpson and her staff for all their help assisting us with tables, chairs and making the accommodations for our guests. Coffee, donuts, and a wonderful box lunch were all provided by M.A.R.S., the Marine Animal Rescue Society.

Mr. John Cassady, Marine Biologist, from Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

We have worked together on a number projects including last years Off- Shore Power Boat Races, a deceased Dolphin in Miami Beach, and a stranding of a Mola mola, on 71st Street and the Atlantic Ocean. She provided an overview of the State and Federal laws that protect marine mammals and their habitat. She also provided and overview of the role and responsibility of our local law enforcement community for protection and emergency response to marine mammals, (manatees, dolphins, and whales).

Time is of essence when a marine mammal is injured, stranded or in distress. She provided a very informative and educational power point presentation.

Our keynote speaker was Mr. John Cassady. He is a marine biologist from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Mr. Cassady provided a short power point presentation on the proper handling of injured marine life and safety precautions to take while on board his specially designed rescue vessel. Once completed, we adjourned the classroom and reconvened at the Winston Towers Marina located at 270 - 174th Street for the mock rescue portion of our workshop. Along with Mr. Cassady’s specially designed rescue boat, we had observation vessels provided by Aventura, Golden Beach, FFWCC and Sunny Isles Beach.

Ms. Pamela Sweeney from the Department of Environmental Protection.

The training was very long overdue in and around our State. Unfortunately, the number of strandings and deaths of manatees, dolphins and whales has been growing over the years. Hopefully, we will be able to make a difference in the future. My thanks go out to Mr. Mike Tribby of our very own Sunny Isles Beach Information Technology Department for all the pictures provided in this article and the filming of the presentation.