Fiberglass Lifeguard Towers in Palm Beach County

The current wooden towers of Palm Beach County have been moved several times due to erosion of the beach, nourishment (when sand is brought in to restore the beach) and storms. The 25-year-old towers have suffered damage during the moves as well. So the county is considering replacing its old wooden stands with more durable and portable fiberglass lifeguard towers.

Fiberglass installation at about $35,000 apiece with $25,000 pilings, would be anchored in the bedrock, and would be easier and quicker to move when necessary. The APEX Tower, the model under consideration in Palm Beach, is smaller and more weather-resistant than other versions, with less deck area and fiberglass chopped strand mat overhangs to avoid lift from wind. Within the fiberglass lifeguard towers, two lifeguards would have a 180° view while safe from the elements. Shutters help protect the stand from vandalism and weather.

Fiberglass can be molded to be stiffer and and more resilient than wood at a lower weight, which makes it a very popular material for boat hull construction. Resin reinforcements, such as the polyester used for these towers, may be very resilient to weathering from ultraviolet light and corrosion from salt and water.

Because the fiberglass lifeguard towers are anchored to the bedrock and sit on skids, they can be placed on eroding beaches, or farther back. Erosion in Jupiter, Fla., in Palm Beach County, has carved 12-foot drop-offs in areas and has eliminated some beaches.