The Governing Board of La Laguna City Council has recently sanctioned the awarding of the monitoring, rescue, lifeguard, and assistance service along the municipality’s coastline to Pro-Activa Serveis Aquàtics SL for a total of 1,993,760 euros (including IGIC) over a duration of three years, with the option to extend for an additional two years, as outlined in the documentation.
As emphasised by the council, this new agreement includes significant enhancements in recruitment, particularly concerning lifeguard personnel. Specifically, according to statistics from the Department of Beaches and Pools, staffing will increase throughout the year at Bajamar beach and pools (from 3 to 7 lifeguards); at Arenisco pool in Punta del Hidalgo (from 2 to 3); and in Jóver in Tejina (from 2 to 3). In the La Barranquera bathing area in Valle de Guerra, the number of lifeguards has recently doubled from 1 to 2, and this increase is solidified in the new agreement. Furthermore, the updating of staff training is included.
The ambulance services are also secured, and emergency boats along with intervention jet skis, which were previously on a temporary basis, will now be operational throughout the year.
With respect to new materials, it has been noted that the successful company will supply two new surveillance towers (or booths), one located in the Jóver bathing area and another in the Bajamar pool vicinity. Additionally, the service will incorporate an aquatic rescue drone system equipped with “boat mode” functionality, allowing it to navigate like a boat for first aid and monitoring purposes.
Alongside this new contract, the provision of amphibious chairs for individuals with physical disabilities is also set to improve. According to the Department of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Children, and Families of the Canary Islands Government, as part of a project focusing on accessible beaches, they have offered amphibious chairs for various beaches across the archipelago. For the bathing areas within La Laguna municipality, the council has specifically requested one for adults and another for children at the Punta del Hidalgo pool, as well as the same quantity for Jóver, along with two for adults and two for children at Bajamar.
Enhancement
The mayor of the municipality, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, remarked that “at La Laguna City Council, we fully recognise the significance of maintaining our coastal areas in the best condition possible, with all necessary safety guarantees, for both our citizens and the many visitors who choose to spend their leisure days with us each year.”
“Our coastline is a unique asset and, consequently, the City Council aims to reinforce the equipment, services, and personnel this year to ensure the security of swimmers at all times, including the latest technology for monitoring and rescue efforts,” the local council leader added in this context.
