The Rotary Club of Destin has expanded its Public Rescue Tube Project across additional Okaloosa County beaches, partnering with the Rotary Club of Fort Walton Beach to install 17 new rescue tubes at public beach access points on Okaloosa Island.

• The countywide expansion follows the program’s launch at Destin beach accesses in 2025. The two clubs plan to install nine more rescue tubes at James Lee Park in mid-June, bringing the countywide total to 26 new public rescue tubes.

“These rescue tubes have already proven to be a valuable safety resource at Destin beach accesses,” said Rotary project co-chair Dion Moniz. “We were proud to expand the program into more areas of Okaloosa County and help make our beaches safer for both residents and visitors.”

Through partnerships with local businesses, each $500 sponsorship covered the cost of the rescue tube, installation and five years of maintenance. Sponsors received recognition on the rescue tube signage through the inclusion of their company name or logo. Because the effort became a joint project between the Destin and Fort Walton Beach Rotary clubs, a new sign logo incorporating both clubs was created for the expansion.

While each station costs roughly $245 to install, including the tube, signage, post and hardware, the $500 sponsorship fee ensures long-term sustainability. Rotary members and volunteers inspect the stations every four to six weeks, before peak tourist seasons and after major storms. Annual community work parties handle larger repairs, and signage includes a public phone number for reporting damage or missing equipment.

More than 700 rescue tube stations are already in place across the United States and Canada, with more than 400 successful known rescues made using the tubes, according to the Rotary Club of Destin. Every known rescue with a tube has been successful, and no rescuer has ever been injured while using one.

According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death worldwide, claiming approximately 236,000 lives each year. It is the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Florida recorded 465 accidental drowning deaths in 2023, many in areas without lifeguard protection.

Rescue tubes provide flotation for both the victim and the bystander attempting a rescue, reducing the risk of a double tragedy. A 25-year study by the Hawaii Department of Health found that rescuer deaths fell from 60% to 13% after public rescue tubes were installed. In areas without tubes, there was no reduction in rescuer deaths, while areas with tubes saw a 100% reduction.

The Destin initiative is part of a larger regional effort led by Rotary clubs and partners to protect swimmers across Northwest Florida. Rescue tubes have already been installed or approved in Navarre, Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, Panama City Beach, Bay County, Destin, Freeport, Eglin Air Force Base and Walton County.

Sponsorships remain available for future expansion.

“This is a hands-on way to save lives in our community,” Moniz said. “We encourage local businesses and individuals to join us in this important effort.”

For more information or to sponsor a rescue tube, contact Dion Moniz with the Rotary Club of Destin at dmoniz@handfirm.com or 850-814-3598.

The Rotary Club of Destin includes roughly 58 local community leaders and meets Tuesdays at 7:15 a.m. at Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club. The club also hosts its Sunset Club Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at O’Quigley’s in Destin.