Rip currents claim more lives annually in Australia than floods, bushfires, cyclones, or shark attacks, with fatalities disproportionately affecting young males and occurring at unpatrolled beaches. Despite ongoing investments in surf lifesaving, safety infrastructure, and educational campaigns, rip current-related deaths are rising, highlighting the need for innovative solutions. Addressing this challenge, the “RipEye” project leverages computer vision technology to detect rip currents via smartphone cameras. This collaborative initiative, involving Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and multidisciplinary university researchers, focuses on three objectives: (1) compiling a rip current detection dataset specific to Australian beaches, (2) optimizing image and video analysis techniques for accurate rip detection, and (3) evaluating the framework’s feasibility to enhance public awareness and safety practices. By targeting unpatrolled beaches and high-risk demographics, the RipEye project seeks to supplement traditional lifesaving methods, providing accessible tools for rip current identification. This paper outlines the methodology behind RipEye, presents preliminary findings, and discusses its potential impact in improving beach safety.