By Lori Leath Miller
The Rotary Club of Destin announced the expansion of 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.
To read the facts behind rescue tubes, please see Destin Life, October 2025, here: https://destin.lifemediagrp.com/rotary-club-of-destin-expands-rescue-tube-project-across-okaloosa-county/.
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.
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.
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 contact Dion Moniz with the Rotary Club of Destin at dmoniz@handfirm.com or (850) 814-3598.
Publisher’s Note: Rescue tubes have become an increasingly important tool in beach safety efforts across North America. More than 700 Rescue Tube stations are now installed throughout the United States and Canada, and the devices have been credited with more than 400 documented rescues. According to program data, every known rescue involving a Rescue Tube has been successful, and notably, no rescuer has ever been injured while using one. Designed to provide flotation support in emergency situations, rescue tubes allow bystanders to assist swimmers in distress without placing themselves at the same level of risk as a direct water rescue. Their proven track record has made them a valuable addition to public beach safety programs and drowning prevention initiatives nationwide.
