March 23, 2026

Orange Beach Program Needs Life Jacket Donations

By Isabella Gomez
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

March 23, 2026

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. A free program helping keep beachgoers safe by using a life jacket if you’re not a strong swimmer or a younger child and it has made a difference along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

It’s part of a program through the Sea Tow Foundation, making water safety easy and accessible and right now, they’re asking that area residents donate some life jackets so that more people can be safe when they’re in the water.

You can find the free life jackets at Alabama Point in Orange Beach.

“We chose this place here at the pass because it’s kind of a higher hazard area with the tides coming in and out,” said Zac White with Orange Beach Fire Rescue.

“We keep multiple sizes on there just so it’s able to be used by whoever,” he said.

The idea is simple — take one, wear it, bring it back.

Officials say the jackets have proven to save lives year after year.

It’s so successful that they need you to donate life jackets of all sizes especially those made for young children. You can drop off new or gently used life jackets at the Orange Beach Fire Rescue administration building.

“Yes, the safety aspect has definitely improved,” said White. “Seems like people are more aware. We have more lifeguards. We upgraded this tower last year and the life jackets have definitely improved the conditions here for swimmer safety.”

“One of the lifeguards comes out, takes them out of the closet, sets them out, inventories them, checks the buckles, check to make sure there’s not any mold growth, just to make sure they’re in all good working order,” White said. “So, they get regularly checked and yes we see them used quite regularly.”