The Bombers de Barcelona presented on 12 August 2026 at the Playa de la Barceloneta remote-controlled rescue buoys. The compact devices are designed to reach people in distress at sea more quickly and keep them stable until rescue crews arrive, or tow them to shore or a rescue boat. According to the fire service, two units have been in service since October 2025 ; since then, they have been used several times in exercises and operations.
The rescue buoy is controlled by radio from land or a boat. It can be manoeuvred against wind and waves to reach a person, provide buoyancy and tow them under control. The systems were used during the recent season, among other incidents, when stand-up paddleboarders were swept out to sea, the fire service’s operational department said.
The operations lead Sergi Souto said the technology filled gaps in rescues along hard-to-reach stretches of coast and in rough seas. It shortened response times by sparing rescuers from having to enter the danger zone immediately, while also improving staff safety. He did not give specific operational statistics, but pointed to repeated use in real incidents and training.
The councillor responsible for security Albert Batlle stressed that Barcelona with around five kilometres of coastline, required the services to maintain a permanent presence and step up their attention seasonally. He linked the presentation to prevention, urging swimmers and water-sports enthusiasts to heed warnings and keep an eye on weather conditions to avoid incidents.
Barcelona’s maritime rescue network includes the municipal fire service, the municipal beach service and the Port de Barcelona; the organisations regularly practise joint procedures. Against this background, the presentation of the remote-controlled buoys marks a technical expansion of the city’s capabilities.
Context: The public presentation on 12 August 2026 at Playa de la Barceloneta, the availability of two remote-controlled rescue buoys since October 2025, and their use in exercises and individual operations are factually confirmed. Assessments of the technology’s benefits and range are attributable to statements by Sergi Souto and Albert Batlle. A possible outcome is a faster initial response to incidents near Barcelona’s coast, particularly during the bathing season in Catalonia.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).