The City of Orange Beach Fire Department recently announced being awarded a grant through the Sea Tow Foundation to provide a Life Jacket Loaner Station at Alabama Point East, with bright-yellow vests available now for both residents and visitors.

Orange Beach is providing the life jackets to be borrowed and used for free (with sizes available from infant to adult XL), which the city suggests all swimmers, boaters and water users in area use.

"As big advocates for safe boating, swimming and wearing a life jacket while enjoying your day at the beach, we encourage any and everyone to take advantage of this stand if they are in need of an extra vest," the fire department wrote. "Please be sure to return the vest after use to the same location. If you would like to donate a new or gently-used life jacket for this loaner stand program, please drop them off at the Orange Beach Fire Rescue Administration Building."

The boating safety nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation was created in 2007 by Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer. Its four flagship programs — the Life Jacket Loaner Program, Sober Skipper Campaign, Flare Education and the National Boating Safety Awards — are meant to help ensure all boaters are safe and responsible.
Fire Chief Jeff Smith also expressed his excitement to work with the foundation in Orange Beach's announcement.

"This will help ensure residents and tourists of all ages have properly fitting life jackets, which will go a long way toward keeping people safe while they're out enjoying the beautiful Gulf waters," Smith said.