The 30th Annual Eckerd College Marine Yard Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 2, at the Eckerd Waterfront, 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg.
All proceeds will support the Eckerd College Search and Rescue Team (EC-SAR), the volunteer student organization founded in 1971 that provides free maritime search and rescue to the Tampa Bay boating community. All team members receive extensive training in basic radio communication skills, seamanship, technical rescue, emergency medicine and navigation.
It is the only college marine rescue service in the country. EC-SAR received widespread attention recently when team members recovered the body of 5-year-old Phoebe Jonchuck after her father allegedly threw her from a bridge leading to the Sunshine Skyway. It was one of more than 600 incidents the team responds to annually. Student volunteers told the Associated Press last year that they learn invaluable lessons in life, leadership and their place in the world.
The popular Marine Yard Sale is the single biggest fundraiser of the year for EC-SAR, which receives no state funding and relies largely on donations. All items sold at the sale are donated. Anyone wishing to donate items, or for more information about the event, may call Scott Ferrara at (727) 864-8555.
More than 1,000 people are expected to turn out for the sale, which features used boats and marine equipment, including a large selection of power and sailboats, motors, accessories and electronics sold at discounted rates. Other highlights include a raffle and refreshments for sale. All sales are final.