Both lifeguard towers at Maili Beach Park were broken into overnight Monday, the City and County of Honolulu Emergency Services Department’s Ocean Safety & Lifeguards Services Division reported Tuesday.

Most of the life-saving equipment in the towers was stolen, including a first-aid kit, a rescue tube, masks, fins and binoculars worth nearly $2,000, according to the report.

In an announcement to the press, Ocean Safety asked the public to remember that the life-saving equipment used by lifeguards is critical for quick response on Oahu’s beaches and in nearshore waters.

“One of the risks of having our folks so fully deployed is some of the equipment logically has to remain on scene, (but) the amount of equipment we can store there, that could save lives, is limited,” Ocean Safety Chief John Titchen said Wednesday.

Lifeguards rely on having the equipment in place so they can get to work without delay, he said.

“Unfortunately, (such incidents) happen from time to time all around the island,” Titchen added, “and we’re trying to let the community know that we we are public servants and the general public could help, too, by helping people understand.”

The division promptly reoutfitted both Maili towers with replacement equipment delivered by backup mobile units Tuesday, and repaired the towers, which had sustained about $600 worth of damage, Titchen said.

Ocean Safety said the department has 41 towers positioned around the island of Oahu, and more than 240 lifeguards are on duty seven days a week to protect Oahu’s beachgoers and ocean users, with coverage augmented by mobile units.