Eckerd College Search and Rescue Secured State Funding

The student-staffed maritime program received nearly $365,000 for critical infrastructure and equipment upgrades.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Financial Aid

Screen-print poster illustration of a rescue boat at a wooden pier, evoking coastal maritime operations and community infrastructure. — Eckerd College Search and Rescue in St. Petersburg received $365,000 in state funding to upgrade critical maritime equipment and aging infrastructure. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local emergency search and rescue programs receive direct state government funding?

Eckerd College Search and Rescue has been awarded nearly $365,000 in state funding to support its operations in the Tampa Bay area. This allocation will be used to modernize infrastructure that has been in service for more than 30 years.

Why it matters

The funding allows the only student-run maritime search and rescue program at a U.S. undergraduate college to replace aging engines and repair critical equipment. These improvements ensure the team remains ready for future emergency missions.

The secured $365,000 grant will cover engine replacements, hull repairs, and dock improvements. This investment addresses maintenance needs for program infrastructure that is now over 30 years old.

The players

Eckerd College Search and Rescue

This is the only student-staffed maritime search and rescue program operating at a U.S. undergraduate institution.

Shumaker Advisors

This firm represents a team of over 300 lawyers and advisors who provide government relations and public affairs assistance.

U.S. Coast Guard

This federal agency is responsible for maritime safety, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations in U.S. waters.

The details

The search and rescue program, which relies on student volunteers who receive no pay or academic credit, utilized assistance from Shumaker Advisors to navigate the state budget process. The funds are earmarked for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 state budget to strengthen the program's long-term capabilities.

The program was founded in 1971.
Units were deployed for the Skyway Bridge collapse in 1980.
The group assisted in the search for Phoebe Jonchuck in 2015.
The U.S. Coast Guard honored the group with a service award in 2019.
The funding is included in the state budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

Roadmap

This state-level support recognizes the unique role of student-run maritime services within the broader national search and rescue framework. It signals a shift toward sustaining specialized volunteer response networks that have historically operated without significant government capital.

Residents in the St. Petersburg area will benefit from a more robust and better-equipped emergency response unit patrolling local waters. The funding ensures that the student-led team can continue to provide essential maritime support without immediate concern for equipment failure.

The takeaway

The investment underscores the importance of maintaining specialized volunteer infrastructure that has served the community for decades. Students and volunteers can now operate with upgraded tools, enhancing their ability to respond to maritime incidents in Tampa Bay.