Town announces water conditions flag program

Longboat Key Fire Rescue implemented a water conditions flag program this week that provides citizens and visitors with the conditions of the surf along Longboat Key.  

The information used to determine which color flag to fly will come from both Lido Key and Cortez beach lifeguards, who report their conditions to Mote Marine Laboratory. Longboat Key Fire Rescue will obtain the most stringent of the two beach reports and fly that color flag at both Longboat Key fire stations daily. Signs have also been posted at the entrances of both fire stations defining the flag colors.

This program has been implemented in an effort to prevent injury and death by educating the public on water conditions, a press release states. 

“The department cannot stress enough the importance of water safety,” said Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi. 

On Friday, the flags were green, notifying swimmers that swimming conditions were calm and a low hazard.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].