The Rotary Club of Destin has expanded its Public Rescue Tube (PRT) Project across additional Okaloosa County beaches following the program’s successful launch at Destin beach accesses in 2025.
The countywide expansion, completed in partnership with the Rotary Club of Fort Walton Beach, resulted in the installation of 17 new rescue tubes at public beach access points on Okaloosa Island.
Through partnerships with local businesses, each $500 sponsorship covered the cost of the rescue tube, installation and five years of maintenance. Sponsors also 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.
“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.”
The Rotary Club of Destin and the Rotary Club of Fort Walton Beach also plan to install the remaining nine rescue tubes at James Lee Park in mid-June, bringing the countywide total to 26 new public rescue tubes.
The Facts Behind Rescue Tubes
· 700+ stations are already in place across the U.S. and Canada.
· 400+ successful, known rescues have been made using these tubes.
· Every known rescue with a tube has been successful.
· No rescuer has ever been injured while using a PRT.
Why Rescue Tubes Work
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 also the #1 cause of death for children ages 1–4 and ranks among the states with the highest drowning rates in the nation. 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, dramatically 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 PRTs were installed; in areas without tubes, there was no reduction in rescuer deaths, while in areas with tubes there was a 100% reduction in rescuer deaths.
District-Wide Safety Effort
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 the following areas: Navarre, Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, Panama City Beach, Bay County, Destin, Freeport, Eglin AFB and Walton County. With Okaloosa County’s 26 new installations, the Emerald Coast is quickly becoming one of the most rescue-ready beach regions in the country.
Affordable & Sustainable
While each PRT station costs roughly $245 to install (tube, signage, post, hardware), the $500 sponsorship fee ensures long-term sustainability. Rotary members and volunteers inspect the stations every 4–6 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.
Call for Sponsors
Sponsorships are still 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, please complete the PRT Sponsor Form HERE or contact Dion Moniz with the Rotary Club of Destin at dmoniz@handfirm.com or (850) 814-3598.
