In all, 37 people from the Barcelona Fire Service Aquatic Rescue Group will be working for public safety, offering a rapid response service in bathing areas, at ports and along the municipal coastline, at breakwaters and other areas with risks. The group will also provide emergency assistance in rescues, prevent activity or behaviour involving risks and provide rapid support if required by other maritime services.

The group responded on 524 occasions last year, 41 of which were lifesaving operations. So far this year, the service has acted on 201 occasions, 13 of which were rescue operations.

New aquatic vehicles

Barcelona City Council, through its Area for Safety and Prevention, has acquired new sea rescue vehicles to improve the response capacity of the Barcelona Fire Service.

Specifically, the fleet has gained a heavy sea rescue vehicle equipped with group rescue materials and staff for rescue operations above or below the surface. This vehicle will be used in long operations where a small logistics and supervision infrastructure is required.

A light sea rescue vehicle has also been acquired and will help improve the service provided, ergonomics and safety in getting surface operations back to the mooring point for the boat. It can also act as a first-response vehicle for the nearest unit for inland waters such as reservoirs, wells, rivers and marine waters.

Finally, the Port de Barcelona has purchased and granted the Barcelona Fire Service the use of a boat 7.74 metres long and 2.8 metres wide, with two motors giving a power output of 200 horsepower and a fuel tank of 250 litres. The boat has a capacity for six crew members plus passengers and is equipped with latest generation technology. It can tow sea rescue stretchers and will be equipped with oxygen cylinders.