09/10/2026
FPTower Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing maritime safety, marine science and research, and ocean discovery, will present a U SAFE® remote-controlled rescue lifebuoy to the Carolina Beach/Kure Beach coastal communities on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk (oceanside). The event will include an official presentation of the device followed by a public demonstration showing how the self-propelled, remote-controlled lifebuoy can be deployed to reach a person in the water.
The lifesaving device is one of four U SAFE® rescue lifebuoys being donated to North Carolina coastal communities through FPTower Inc.'s 2026 Save A Life Raffle, which invited participants to help select communities to receive the innovative water-rescue technology. Carolina Beach and Kure Beach were paired during the community voting and selected to receive one shared device, with Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue serving as the receiving and operating agency.
For Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue, the donation provides another resource that can be incorporated into its broader approach to public safety and emergency response along the coast. "We're grateful to FPTower Inc. and everyone who supported the Save A Life Raffle for selecting our community to receive this equipment," said Shawn Kelly, Ocean Rescue Captain with the Carolina Beach Fire Department. "Our team is always looking at tools and strategies that can strengthen our response capabilities. The U SAFE® gives us another option for reaching someone in distress while helping us evaluate conditions and manage risk to our rescuers. We're looking forward to putting the device through its paces and incorporating it into our rescue planning."
Members of the public, local officials, first responders, community organizations, and media are invited to attend the presentation and demonstration. Visit https://www.carolinabeach.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/40 for more details.
