RWS Takes the Lead on Ocean Safety in Puerto Rico

A Historic Move for Public Safety

Rincón is set to become the first municipality in Puerto Rico to make ocean safety part of its public policy. The initiative is driven by Rincón Water Safety (RWS) in partnership with the Oficina Municipal de Manejo de Emergencias (OMME) and marks a major step in protecting residents and visitors along the town’s coastline.

Municipal Resolution in Progress

The municipal legislature is currently reviewing a resolution to formally recognize ocean safety as a local priority. Once approved, OMME will hire professional lifeguards, while RWS will handle their training, supervision, and equipment following the standards of the United States Lifesaving Association. Funding for the lifeguard program will be shared equally between the municipality and RWS, a collaboration that combines public resources with community expertise to address a long-standing gap in beach safety services.

Expanding Impact Across the Island

While the agreement focuses on Rincón, its reach is already extending across Puerto Rico. RWS has partnered with the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources to help design Puerto Rico’s first Water Safety Plan. The organization has also joined the Junta de Playas, the interagency council that guides coastal policy. It recently took part in the Puerto Rico Ocean Safety Round Table at the House of Representatives, working alongside legislators, municipal officials, and tourism leaders.

Tangible Improvements in Rincón

RWS’s work has already had a visible impact locally. The nonprofit has installed rescue stations, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and safety whistles at key beaches, enabling hundreds of successful rescues by community members and visiting tourists. Every AED and rescue station is checked weekly to ensure it is ready to use in an emergency.

The Beach Guardians Program

A core part of RWS’s efforts is the Beach Guardians program, which empowers residents and visitors to play an active role in ocean safety. The program offers free training seminars on CPR, AED use, and basic rescue techniques to anyone in the community. It also promotes ocean safety awareness through education campaigns that help people better understand local risks and how to navigate them safely.

Beach Guardians draws inspiration from global programs such as the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group and the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, adapting their best practices to meet Puerto Rico’s specific needs. To date, more than 400 people have participated in these workshops, building a more prepared and resilient community.

AED Map and Rescue Tools

Visitors to the RWS website can also access the AED Map and Rescue Tools, an interactive Google map that shows the exact locations of all AEDs and public rescue equipment installed around Rincón. This tool makes it easier for residents, beachgoers, and first responders to quickly locate lifesaving equipment during an emergency.

Plans for the First Certified Lifeguard Tower

Looking ahead, RWS aims to open Rincón’s first lifeguard tower certified by the USLA. To achieve this, the organization seeks to raise $150,000 by December 2025 to fund lifeguard salaries, as well as rescue boards, ATVs, radios, uniforms, and ongoing training. As a registered Section 1101 nonprofit in Puerto Rico and a 501(c)(3) organization, RWS can offer donors full tax benefits, including contributions that qualify under Act 60 philanthropic requirements.

How the Community Can Help

Community support is key to reaching these goals. A donation of $65 funds an additional rescue torpedo, while $2,500 equips the program with another AED. Any amount contributes directly to a safer beach environment for everyone.

RWS invites residents, visitors, and local businesses to join their mission. They aim to build safer beaches in Rincón and inspire similar programs across Puerto Rico.

Learn More or Donate

For more information, or to donate, visit rinconwatersafety.org, email info@rinconwatersafety.org, or call 787-529-7280.