GUARDIANS OF THE GULF 

• Station Sand Key - History

The Coast Guard Station in Clearwater was established on January 29, 1975. Station Sand Key (then called Station Clearwater) was originally operated from a houseboat moored at Island Estates in Clearwater. The houseboat was disestablished and Coast Guard Station Clearwater on Sand Key was opened February 13, 1985. Later the name was changed to Station Sand Key to alleviate logistic problems with our neighboring Air Station in Clearwater

Now it is the fourth largest multi-mission station in the Seventh Coast Guard District conducting Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) including the management of living marine resources and Environmental Protection. There are a vast amount of recreational activities in the Tampa Bay area. Close to Station Sand Key are the stadiums for the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tampa Bay Lightening. The local beaches are world-known for their beauty and white sand. For the active sportsperson, the excellent year-round temperatures provide for plenty of water oriented activities. World class fishing, dining, sporting event and entertainment are always available and some of the best theme parks, including Busch Gardens and Disneyworld, are only a short drive away.

The area here is considered a very choice assignment and is highly sought after by all assigned ratings. The geographic area is relatively flat with many waterways, inlets and rivers. Fishing, both off shore and in shore is very popular. Any and all water oriented hobbies and sports are offered to those interested in the surf and sand.

• Station Sand Key – Present Day

Located on Sand Key in Clearwater, Florida United States Coast Guard Station Sand Key keeps a vigilant watch on all points between John’s Pass and Aripeka and out 50 miles into the Gulf of Mexico, over 2,000 square miles of area. Station Sand Key’s complement includes 40 active duty and 20 reserve men and women assigned to perform missions of Search and Rescue (SAR), Enforcement of Federal Laws and Treaties and Environmental Protection. The personnel at Station Sand Key also conduct collateral duties necessary to support the administrative, logistical and maintenance tasks to keep the Station at peak operating levels of readiness. We cover our area of responsibility with six vessels: Two 47’ Motor Life Boat (MLB), three 25’ Defender Class SAFE Boats and a 24’Special Purpose Craft Shallow Water (SPC-SW). The Station responds to approximately 300 Search and Rescue cases per year. Coast Guard Auxiliary support is outstanding. Division 11 resources provide numerous services for Station Sand Key. Some of these include Communications Watchstanding throughout the week, two days a week Search and Rescue Standby, MultiMission Patrols, Safety Classes, Boat Safety Checks, C-130 Training Missions and numerous joint training exercises. Station Sand Key is heavily involved in community affairs in the local area. Personnel participate in numerous public affairs events, including National Safe Boating Week, Clearwater Veterans Appreciation Day and various other community events. The Station personnel actively participate in Partners for Education and deploy to local schools to teach about the United States Coast Guard

• Station Sand Key - Station Boats

47' MLB

25' RB-S

24' SPC-SW

USCG STATION SAND KEY
1375 GULF BLVD
CLEARWATER, FL 33767
(727) 596-8666