The Sitges Town Council has placed three rescue support boards on the beaches of La Fragata-La Ribera, Sant Sebastià and Garraf, a resource for citizens to voluntarily assist in maritime emergencies while specialized services arrive.
The Sitges Town Council has installed three rescue support boards on the beaches of La Fragata-La Ribera, Sant Sebastià and Garraf, with the aim of enhancing safety along the coastline during the bathing season. These devices are designed for anyone to use voluntarily in case of an emergency in the water, especially in cases of drowning, while rescue teams are on their way.
The councillor for Natural Spaces, Cristina Guiu, explained that "with this initiative we are taking a step further to enhance safety on our beaches. The boards do not obligate anyone to intervene in a rescue, but they provide a safe, stable and intuitive tool for those who decide to help voluntarily while emergency services arrive." Guiu added that "in situations like drowning, the first minutes are critical and having this resource can help save a life."
The boards have been provided by a Danish company through the Sitges Volunteer Firefighters Park, which has promoted the initiative. The Sitges park is a reference in aquatic rescue, as it was the first in Catalonia to have a jet ski for these tasks. The Fire Chief, Jordi Rius, stated that "an aquatic rescue is a matter of minutes, and anyone with basic knowledge can help. The boards are a resource accessible to everyone; there are people who want to help if they witness a drowning, and having a floating element like this makes the assistance safer while emergency services arrive."
Each board includes a geolocation system that detects any movement and sends an automatic alert to the managing company, immediately activating the emergency protocol. However, it is essential to call 112 before initiating any action. Ramsés Martí, a specialist in lifeguarding and aquatic safety, reminded that "the board has an icon that reminds us to call 112, because one should never attempt a rescue without first asking for help. With these elements, there are greater chances that the attempt to help will be successful."
Additionally, each device features a QR code that provides access to explanatory videos about its operation, so that anyone can familiarize themselves with its use. The boards are located in strategic points of high influx of bathers and aquatic activities, such as the beaches of La Fragata-La Ribera, Sant Sebastià and Garraf.
The Town Council has called on citizens to use these boards responsibly and civically, as they are intended exclusively for emergency situations. Councillor Guiu emphasized that "what we are doing is providing citizens with a tool that allows them to help in decisive moments. From the Town Council, we ask the population to use the rescue boards responsibly and civically."
The installation of these boards is part of the safety measures along the Sitges coastline, which welcomes thousands of visitors each summer. The first minutes in the event of a drowning are critical, and having an accessible floating element can make the difference between life and death. Emergency services remind that, in the event of any incident at sea, the first step is to call 112 and, only if one has knowledge, proceed with the rescue using the board.
The rescue support boards are now operational and complement other safety resources, such as the jet ski from the fire department and the lifeguards monitoring the beaches during the summer season. The Town Council plans to evaluate their use at the end of the summer to consider their possible expansion to other beaches in the municipality.
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