Riga adds a drone to its summer lifeguard services

The city also added a new bathing area

It was a rainy day today in Riga but nevertheless, the official bathing season was inaugurated in the Latvian capital at the Lucavsala Bay beach. That strip is one of the nice official bathing areas in Riga – one more than the previous year. Another addition to the rescue services will be the addition of a drone to help with faster and more efficient reactions in times of need.

The opening of the summer season was attended by representatives from the Riga Municipal Police (RPP) and the Housing and Environment Department. The officials demonstrated the new additions and reminded the public of some commonsense rules about swimming and safety.

Citizens’ safety in leisure times

During the event, RPP specialists said that basically, the lifeguards will monitor the safety on the water in the bathing areas every day from 10.00 to 22.00. On the other hand, if necessary, assistance will be available at seven rescue stations at night. 

A special novelty in the work of rescuers this year is the unmanned aircraft, which will be used mainly in the largest bathing place – Vecāķi (on the Baltic Sea), in order to be able to monitor the almost kilometre-long beach more effectively.

Not all the bathing areas in Riga are located on the seashore, some of them are on lakes and others are on the banks of the Daugava River. On the banks of that river is also the newest bathing place in the capital, called Ķīpsala.

RPP rescue stations operate in all the official bathing areas of Riga. Also, sanitary facilities are located on the beaches during the bathing season, waste containers have been installed, garbage collection is carried out every day, twice a month the sand is loosened, and the swimming area is enclosed by buoys. There are beach volleyball courts, children’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms in several bathing areas. 

The Blue Flag will also fly on two beaches in Riga - Vecāķi and Vakarbuļļi - this year, which is a confirmation of international environmental standards and of the quality of improvement works performed by the municipality.

Last season, RPP rescuers rescued five drowning swimmers, provided medical assistance to 95 vacationers, and found and handed over 20 stray children to their parents.