FPTower Inc. to Present U SAFE® Remote-Controlled Rescue Lifebuoy to Oak Island/Caswell Beach
CASWELL BEACH, N.C. — FPTower Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization advancing maritime safety, marine science, and ocean discovery, will present a U SAFE® remote-controlled rescue lifebuoy to Oak Island/Caswell Beach as part of the nonprofit’s 2026 Save A Life Raffle maritime safety initiative.
The donated U SAFE device will be presented to and held by the Town of Caswell Beach for use in supporting water rescue and public safety efforts. A presentation and demonstration will take place Tuesday, August 25, 2026 from 2:00-2:30 PM at the public beach access across from the Oak Island Lighthouse off Caswell Beach Road in Caswell Beach, North Carolina.
Town of Caswell Beach Mayor George Kassler, Town Manager Joseph Pierce, and Chief of Police Michael Williams will accept the lifesaving device on behalf of the communities.
Oak Island/Caswell Beach was selected as one of four coastal community recipients through voting conducted as part of FPTower Inc.’s 2026 Save A Life Raffle. Raffle participants helped determine where the four U SAFE rescue devices purchased through the initiative would be donated, giving supporters a direct role in helping expand access to innovative water rescue technology along the coast.
“Maritime safety is about finding innovative ways to protect people on the water while also helping reduce the risks faced by those who respond when an emergency occurs,” said Richard Neal, Executive Director of FPTower Inc. “The U SAFE technology provides communities with another tool that can help first responders reach someone in distress during challenging water rescue situations. We’re proud that supporters of the Save A Life Raffle selected Oak Island/Caswell Beach to receive this device.”
“It’s especially meaningful to know that supporters of the Save A Life Raffle helped make this possible,” said Joseph “Joe” Pierce, Town Manager of Caswell Beach. “We’re proud that Caswell Beach will receive this lifesaving device and grateful to FPTower Inc. and everyone who supported the initiative. It gives our first responders another valuable tool to help protect residents and visitors enjoying our beaches and waterways.”
Innovative Technology Supporting Safer Water Rescues
The U SAFE is a remote-controlled, self-propelled rescue buoy designed to travel across the water to reach a person in distress. Once reached, the device can provide flotation and assist in bringing the individual toward safety.
The technology offers an additional resource for emergency personnel responding to water-related incidents while potentially reducing the need for a rescuer to immediately enter challenging water conditions.
The upcoming presentation will include a demonstration of the U SAFE device, providing community leaders and attendees an opportunity to see firsthand how the technology can support water rescue operations.
For FPTower Inc., the donation represents its continuing commitment to bringing its maritime safety mission directly into coastal communities.
Turning Community Support Into Lifesaving Impact
The 2026 Save A Life Raffle was created by FPTower Inc. to raise awareness of water safety while generating support for the purchase and donation of four U SAFE remote-controlled rescue lifebuoys.
Rather than determining the recipients solely within the organization, FPTower Inc. invited raffle participants to vote for coastal communities they believed would benefit from the technology. The four communities receiving devices represent the communities receiving the highest level of support through that voting process.
The initiative demonstrates how charitable giving, community participation, and innovative technology can work together to create tangible public benefit.
Each donated device represents more than a piece of equipment. It represents another resource available to help protect someone experiencing a water emergency—and another tool that may help keep first responders and rescue personnel safer while they work to protect others.
“These presentations allow us to turn the generosity of our supporters into something communities can put to work,” said Nancy Bradley, Associate Director of FPTower Inc. “When people support FPTower Inc., they are helping us create safer waterways, strengthen community preparedness, and expand access to technology that has the potential to save lives.”
A Mission Moving Forward
FPTower Inc.’s maritime safety initiatives are part of the nonprofit’s broader mission to advance maritime safety, connect marine science through collaborative partnerships, and inspire ocean discovery.
Through partnerships with coastal communities, public safety organizations, educators, researchers, nonprofits, and private-sector organizations, FPTower Inc. is developing programs designed to create lasting public impact along the North Carolina coast.
The Oak Island/Caswell Beach U SAFE presentation represents that mission in action—bringing together nonprofit supporters, community leaders, public safety professionals, and innovative technology around a shared goal of protecting lives on the water.
Members of the community and media are invited to attend the presentation and demonstration.
EVENT DETAILS
What: FPTower Inc. 2026 Save A Life Raffle U SAFE® Rescue Lifebuoy Presentation and Demonstration
Recipient: Oak Island/Caswell Beach
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 2:00-2:30 PM
Location: Public beach access across from the Oak Island Lighthouse, off Caswell Beach Road, Caswell Beach, NC
Hosted by: FPTower Inc.
About FPTower Inc.
FPTower Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing maritime safety, connecting marine science through collaborative partnerships, and inspiring ocean discovery. Through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and community engagement, the organization works to create safer waterways, expand opportunities for scientific understanding, and connect people with coastal environments through livestreaming technology.
Media Contact:
Richard Neal
FPTower Inc.
richard@fptower.org
(704) 907-0399
fptower.org
