Island Real Estate BVI Blog

January 14th, 2009 5:54 AM
Coastal safety for beach lovers

BVI News Online

The Conservation and Fisheries Department continues to ensure that visitors and residents feel more secure when they are using the various beaches in the territory.

The department is continuing to recruit beach safety officers and lifeguards to protect residents and visitors who are enjoying the territories beaches.

The department is currently organizing a programme aimed at recruiting local beach safety officers.

Marine Biologist at the Conservation and Fisheries Department - Mervin Hastings says the department started a lifeguard programme in the territory a few years ago and they have been trying to recruit local persons to be part of this programme.

Mr Hastings said the department is now involved in a recruitment programme for interested persons in the community who want to become a beach safety officer and eventually a qualified lifeguard in the BVI.

"What that involves is the first stage is the beach safety officer which there is a minimum qualification which they need to have - swimming is definitely a priority - you have to swim for at least 400 metres in 9 to 10 minutes and to become a lifeguard you must be able to swim the same 400 metres in under 8 minutes, but we will be training you to hopefully top that time," Hastings said.

Hastings also said persons must know basic CPR procedures because if a rescue is done at sea, once the lifeguard brings that person to the shoreline, it is the responsibility of the beach safety officer to assist or basically take over the responsibilities of resuscitating that patient.

According to Hastings, the Conservation and Fisheries have decided to expand on this programme because of the number of problems experienced at beaches over the years.

"Over the past 10 to 20 years, you have an average of between 5 and 7 drownings deaths in the BVI so it has become a priority that we have better safety on our beaches", Hastings said.

He said the beach safety and lifeguards will be stationed at the different beaches in the territory.

"Currently the lifeguards and the beach safety officers that we have now are stationed at Cane Garden and Josiah's Bay because there are a lot of tourists and locals that go to Cane Garden Bay and Josiah's Bay because its one of the most dangerous beaches with the high surf and current as well", he said.

Hastings said the response to the programme has been positive so far.

"I think it has been very positive, the vendors at Cane Garden Bay have actually commented on the programme, they have actually given their appreciation and welcomed us into the community and even Josiah's Bay, Niomi Turnbull who is there, is always calling us expressing appreciation that the lifeguards are there now and there have been no drownings at these beaches and they have actually done several rescues since they have been on the beaches," Hastings said.

He said it will take about one year to train someone from a beach safety officer to a qualified lifeguard.

He noted that on becoming a qualified lifeguard, these persons will be properly identified when they are stationed at the various beaches.

Hastings said the territory currently has 4 registered lifeguards but they are not BV Islanders.

He said it's the vision of the Conservation and Fisheries Department to have all local beach safety officers and lifeguards on the beaches in the future.

He said persons interested in becoming beach safety officers can contact the department at 494 - 3429 or extension 5555 or 5551.

Posted by Pamela Romney on January 14th, 2009 5:54 AMPost a Comment (0)
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