Investing over four million Euros in ensuring the safety and rescue operations along its coastline, Santa Cruz has undertaken a contract for surveillance, rescue missions, healthcare services, and beaconing at the main beaches and bathing zones of the capital. The Public Safety and Emergencies department are responsible for managing this service.
Previously falling under the jurisdiction of the Public Services sector, this service has been upgraded starting from 2022. Taking into account the initial expenses, along with two subsequent modifications to cover additional bathing areas along the Valleseco coast, the total budget allocated for safeguarding bathers and visitors of the capital’s coastline now stands at 4,351,846 Euros.
The financial commitment was initially covered by the contract incorporating all services for beaches like Las Teresitas, Las Gaviotas, San Andrés breakwater, Chica, Añaza dock, Roque de Las Bodegas, Almáciga, and Benijo, totalling 3,846,869 Euros. In 2023, a supplementary provision was made to extend the preventive measures to include new maritime bathing zones such as El Bloque and Acapulco beach in Valleseco, resulting in an increased contract value of 376,452 Euros.
Additionally, this year saw the inclusion of rescue and lifeguard operations in the new bathing area of Los Charcos in Valleseco.
These measures ensure that during the peak season from 1st June to 30th September, services are available from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The same operating hours are observed during the Holy Week.
Emphasizing the significance of this vital service, the Councillor for Citizen Security, Gladis de León, stated, “We are committed to maintaining high standards by allocating both human and technical resources, as the safety of the numerous individuals enjoying our coast year-round, especially in the summer, is paramount.”
De León highlighted the professionalism, training, and experience of the personnel delivering these services, “in this instance, provided by the Spanish Red Cross, complemented by the efforts of Local Police officers overseeing Las Teresitas and Las Gaviotas beaches, as well as those monitoring the Anaga beaches. Further supported by the Operational Coordination Centre of the Local Administration (Cecopal) and when necessary, by the Civil Protection Volunteer Group and the Natural Unit (Umen).”
