Gulf Shores, Ala. — As the summer tourist season kicks off, an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) helicopter has resumed its patrol duties along the state’s coastline. With thousands of visitors flocking to the beaches, the helicopter serves as a vital resource in enhancing beach safety, especially during emergencies.
Joethan Phillips, Chief of Gulf Shores Beach Safety, emphasized the critical role the helicopter plays in assisting lifeguards. “Its primary purpose is to offer an aerial perspective that lifeguards on the ground can’t always access,” he explained. From above, the crew can monitor beachgoers and spot trouble before it escalates.
The helicopter regularly flies the stretch from Orange Beach to Fort Morgan, covering a large swath of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Each flight includes two trained rescue swimmers ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice. According to Phillips, these aerial patrols often spot dangerous situations from the sky and can quickly respond. “Sometimes they’ll see something while patrolling and drop a lifeguard into the water,” Phillips said. “Other times, they get dispatched through 911 and respond directly to an emergency, delivering a lifeguard to the scene.”
The presence of the chopper drastically improves emergency response times and adds a layer of safety to areas that may not be actively monitored by lifeguards. This is particularly important on days when the water is hazardous, and beachgoers ignore warning signs.
Phillips recalled past instances when double red flag warnings—indicating dangerous surf and rip currents—were in effect. Despite the warnings, people still entered the water in unguarded sections of the beach. “The helicopter can hover over those swimmers, motion for them to return to shore, and they usually understand the urgency,” he said. The aerial crew’s visibility and ability to communicate visually make a real difference in these high-risk situations.
Currently, beach conditions remain dangerous. Red flags continue to fly as the Gulf churns with strong surf and an elevated rip current threat, which is expected to persist over the next several days. In such circumstances, lifeguards are grateful for any additional support they can get, and the ALEA helicopter is proving to be an invaluable asset.
The collaboration between lifeguards and the helicopter crew showcases a coordinated effort to keep both locals and tourists safe. Having a bird’s-eye view allows the helicopter team to detect issues that may be missed from the shore. Moreover, the addition of onboard rescue swimmers enables the team to respond not just by reporting, but by taking direct action.
For beach safety officials like Phillips, the return of the helicopter means added reassurance. Whether it’s monitoring for swimmers in distress, dropping lifeguards into difficult-to-reach areas, or guiding swimmers back to safety, the helicopter fills critical gaps in the beach patrol system.
As more people arrive at the beaches for sun and surf, the message remains the same: respect the warnings, stay informed, and know that help is never too far away—even from the sky. With dangerous conditions persisting, every resource counts, and the ALEA helicopter plays a key role in ensuring everyone’s safety along Alabama’s scenic but sometimes treacherous coastline.
