YANBU: The Kingdom’s Border Guard search-and-rescue teams in Yanbu governorate, Madinah, recently rescued five citizens after their boat broke down at sea, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The rescue comes as the Border Guard has stepped up maritime safety awareness activities across the Kingdom in recent weeks, urging beachgoers and marine activity enthusiasts to follow safety regulations and take precautions before heading to sea.
The directorate has held exhibitions and awareness events in several regions, highlighting drowning prevention, safe marine practices, vessel safety, and the work of its search-and-rescue teams.
The activities coincided with World Drowning Prevention Day, observed annually on July 25. The campaign included workshops on swimming and rescue skills, and reminders about supervising children.
An officer demonstrates essential safety measures during the Border Guard’s awareness exhibition in Jazan on July 28, 2026. (SPA photo)
The Border Guard’s exhibition in Jazan, which ended on July 28, highlighted regulations for beachgoers, and penalties for swimming in unauthorized areas. A similar exhibition was held in Abha from Aug. 11 to 15.
The campaign comes as Saudi Arabia expands its network of public and private beaches and coastal destinations under the tourism and economic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, according to the SPA.
The Kingdom has a coastline exceeding 1,800 km, making maritime safety an increasingly important consideration.
Beach operation requirements
In late 2025, the Saudi Red Sea Authority issued its Beach Operators’ Requirements and Conditions policy, establishing a regulatory framework for licensing and safety.
The requirements include qualified lifeguards, rescue and first-aid equipment, separation of swimming areas from marine activity corridors and assessments of beach-carrying capacity.
Under new rules issued last year by the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA), beach operators are required to employ qualified lifeguards, rescue and first-aid equipment, practical separation between swimming zones and marine activity corridors, among other requirements. (SPA photo)
The Border Guard urged beachgoers and sea users to ensure their vessels are seaworthy, and to wear life jackets.
People requiring emergency assistance can call 911 in the Makkah, Madinah and Eastern regions, and 994 from elsewhere in the Kingdom.
