Career advice needed - what to pursue?

I was looking to pursue a career in the Coast Guard as an Officer, but since the Coast Guard Officer program is extremely competitive (the CG recruiter told me they accepted only 17% of applicants) I'm wondering what other options there are to do similar work. I am 27 and have a college degree. I've done office work since graduating from school and it has been uninteresting to me. I am interested in working along the coast (love the beach, love the water). I thought of being a life-guard but that's seasonal. I also thought of the Navy but after researching it seems like Navy life is mostly spent on-board a ship, whereas Coast Guard would be a mix of everything (I'd rather do search and rescue type work). Besides being a police officer or fireman, does anyone have any ideas? I'd like to do work involved in search & rescue or patrolling waterways, etc.