🧑 Who: Rotary Club of Destin, Rotary Club of Fort Walton Beach, Dion Moniz, Wayne Bernheisel, local sponsors, and businesses
🏖 What: Expansion of the Public Rescue Tube (PRT) Project with 26 new rescue tubes at public beach access points
📅 When: Announced Oct. 7, 2025; ongoing Phase 1 implementation
📍 Where: Okaloosa County beaches, Florida, including Destin and surrounding areas
❓ Why: To reduce drowning risk and improve safety for swimmers and rescuers
Destin, Fla., Oct. 7, 2025 — The Rotary Club of Destin is expanding its Public Rescue Tube (PRT) Project beyond the city to include multiple public beach access points across Okaloosa County. The initiative aims to improve swimmer safety along local beaches.
Phase 1 of the countywide expansion, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Fort Walton Beach, will place 26 new rescue tubes at public beach access locations. Sixteen of these tubes are already sponsored by local businesses and individuals, leaving ten sponsorship opportunities. Each $500 sponsorship covers the cost of the tube, installation, and five years of maintenance. Sponsor names or logos will appear on signage at each station during that period.
“These tubes are already making a difference at Destin beach accesses,” said Rotary project co-chairs Dion Moniz and Wayne Bernheisel. “Now, we are excited to expand this proven program across more parts of Okaloosa County, making our beaches even safer for residents and visitors.”
Rescue Tubes and Safety Data
Rescue tubes have been installed at more than 600 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Records show more than 200 successful rescues using these devices, with no known rescuer injuries during a rescue.
According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death globally and the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4. In Florida, 465 accidental drowning deaths were reported in 2023, many in areas without lifeguard coverage.
Rescue tubes provide flotation for both the swimmer and the rescuer, reducing the risk of additional injuries. A 25-year study by the Hawaii Department of Health found that rescuer deaths dropped from 60% to 13% in areas where rescue tubes were installed. In locations without tubes, no reduction in rescuer deaths was observed.
Regional Expansion
The Okaloosa County rollout is part of a broader regional effort by Rotary Clubs and partners to improve swimmer safety along Northwest Florida beaches. Existing or approved rescue tube installations include:
Navarre: 16
Perdido Key: 4
Pensacola Beach: 5
Panama City Beach: 10
Bay County: 10
Destin: 9
Freeport: 2
Eglin AFB: 2
Walton County: 58
With the addition of 26 new stations in Okaloosa County, the Emerald Coast is expanding its network of public rescue equipment.
Sponsorship and Maintenance
Each PRT station costs roughly $245 to install, which includes the tube, signage, post, and hardware. The $500 sponsorship fee helps fund long-term maintenance. Rotary 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 provides a public phone number to report damage or missing equipment.
Sponsorships are still available for the Okaloosa County expansion. “This is a hands-on way to save lives in our community,” Moniz said.
Local businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring a rescue tube can complete the PRT Sponsor Form HERE or contact Dion Moniz at dmoniz@handfirm.com or (850) 814-3598.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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