LAGUNA BEACH : Donations Rescue City Lifeguard Boat

After being dry-docked in June because of budget cuts, the city’s only lifeguard boat is back in the water, rescued by donations from local businesses and the Emerald Bay Community Assn.

Head lifeguard Mike Dwinell said that people began calling the lifeguard station and City Hall shortly after word that the boat had been dry-docked was publicized last month.

“People said, ‘I can’t give very much, but I’d be willing to pledge this amount of money,’ ” Dwinell said. “With the economy the way it is, I just think everyone was pleasantly surprised.”

The 17-foot fiberglass Boston Whaler, which marine safety workers simply call “5571,” is patrolling the waters Friday through Sunday, from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

City officials estimated it would cost $4,700 to operate the boat for the remainder of the summer, and city business owners donated $1,100, while the Emerald Bay Community Assn. agreed to pay the rest.

Laguna Beach provides lifeguard service to Emerald Bay, an unincorporated community at the north end of the city. When residents there learned the boat had been hauled to dry land, they asked that their contract with the city be expanded to include boat service, said recreation director Cindy King.

As part of the agreement, since the association is paying most of the money needed to keep the boat afloat, it will operate off the coast of Emerald Bay when not responding to calls elsewhere, King said.

The vessel is used to make offshore rescues, keep boats from coming too close to swimmers, aid overturned sailboats and remind people about safety rules.

Without a city boat, when an emergency arises, local lifeguards must call for help from Dana Point or Newport Beach, a distance of about six miles either way.

It is the second time this summer that residents and business owners have hurried to the rescue as the budget ax was poised. When city officials said they might retire Gero, the city’s only police dog, donations poured in and the police canine program was spared.