Safe Harbor: When it comes to water safety, our community is all in

From left, diver Chris Golden, diver Jason Harris, District Executive Director Harold Young of JER Chilton YMCA at Rockwall, dive team leader Mike Hamilton, diver Kerry Krueger, and diver Bobby Gladu.

Rockwall, TX (June 25, 2025) – Raised on the salty shores of Corpus Christi, Bobby Gladu began scuba diving at age 13 and has spent decades learning to respect the power—and unpredictability—of open water. Now a Royse City resident and owner of Artisan Masonry & Granite, Gladu has teamed up with civic leaders and fellow members of the North Texas Search and Recovery Dive Team to bring a life-saving resource to Lake Ray Hubbard: free life jacket loaner stations for public use.

The effort was sparked by a close call shared by his coworker and sales specialist, Debbie Warner. Her daughter and son-in-law—both experienced boaters—were enjoying a day on the lake with their two young daughters when they struck a submerged stump. The impact sent the girls overboard. Thankfully, both were wearing life jackets. Without them, the story could have ended in tragedy.

A Shared Concern, a Shared Solution

As a member of Leadership Rockwall’s Class of 2025, Gladu began exploring ideas for a group service project when he connected with Rockwall County Justice of the Peace Mark Russo. Russo, who has consoled grieving families after water-related deaths, was haunted by the family member of a drowning victim who asked: “Couldn’t something have been done?”

That conversation planted the seed for what would become a community-wide collaboration: free, accessible life jacket loaner stations stocked with personal flotation devices (PFDs) for all ages and sizes.

While Leadership Rockwall ultimately selected another annual service project, Gladu and members of the North Texas Search and Recovery Dive Team decided to dive in on their own, with the help of many.

Building with Purpose

The first step was connecting with Cook Children’s Hospital and its “Lifeguard Your Child” initiative, which supports more than 60 life jacket loaner stations across North Texas – all at no charge to those who may need them for a day on the lake. The program provided signage and a generous supply of PFDs for the project.

“Many people don’t know that drowning rates triple at age 15 in open water, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4,” explained Jillian Mitchell, Program Coordinator at Cook Children’s Hospital. “Open water can be unpredictable, and it’s so important that families understand this. Lakes are dark, murky, and deep, so it is vital that everyone wears a life jacket when they are in, on, or around water.”

Cook Children’s also committed to replacing 30 to 50 percent of the life jackets each year due to damage or loss.

Linbeck Construction provides cut lumber and materials and design support for the large, covered structures, and members of the dive team helped assemble the stations, which include fitting instructions and six size options—from infant to adult.

Anchored in Community Support

With structure and supplies in place, the project needed a partner to oversee maintenance and seasonal setup. The J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall stepped up, with District Executive Director Harold Young pledging ongoing support.

“This effort fits seamlessly with our mission to build healthy communities,” Young said. “It complements the YMCA’s Safety Around Water programs, which provide free swim assessments and basic water safety education throughout the area.”

The City of Rockwall also played a key role, helping coordinate the placement of the first two stations—one at The Harbor near the lighthouse boat ramp, and another at the Hwy 66 Boat Ramp. Conversations are already underway with the City of Heath for a third station at Terry Park.

A Ripple Effect of Safety

The first station was officially unveiled on May 30 during a gathering at The Harbor. Representatives from the Chamber, Leadership Rockwall, the YMCA, local government, and community organizations came together to celebrate the effort.

It was a proud moment not just for Gladu and his dive team, but for everyone who played a part—from planners to builders to advocates. Gladu, who also serves as a Blue Tie Guy ambassador for the Children’s Advocacy Center, sees the initiative as part of a broader mission to protect and uplift local families.

“Water safety is a shared responsibility,” Gladu said. “This project is proof that when a community comes together, we can protect one another—and make our lakes safer for every family.”

Blue Ribbon News Staff Report. Photos by BRN Media.

  Blue Ribbon News, Bobby Gladu, Cook Children’s Hospital, feature, Heath, JER Chilton YMCA, lifejackets, Rockwall, The Harbor, water safety