Parks may hire lifeguards from overseas
The Government is seeking eight full-time lifeguards to patrol high-traffic beaches throughout the year, the Minister of Public Works and Environment said yesterday.
Jaché Adams told the House of Assembly that the eight consultants would be hired on one to two-year contracts to “ensure adequate coverage during the full tourism season” and certain off-peak events.
He encouraged Bermudians with lifeguard experience to apply, but said the Government would be “compelled to seek qualified individuals from abroad to ensure the safety of everyone”.
The minister’s comments come two months after the Department of Parks advertised for 20 lifeguards in the wake of three people dying from swimming-related incidents last year.
• Hyon Duk Shin, a 49-year-old visitor from Pennsylvania, died while trying to save a child struggling in the waves at Horseshoe Bay on March 27
• Another visitor, 48-year-old Jamie Lambros from New York, was pronounced dead at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after trying to assist someone in distress at Horseshoe Bay on October 7
• Angelito Manila, a 44-year-old guest worker from the Philippines, died days after being found unresponsive in the waters of Elbow Beach on October 24
No lifeguards were present when the incidents occurred.
Despite these tragedies and the ministry offering more money, Mr Adams said the number of lifeguard applications had gone down since 2009 and there was only one full-time position.
All other lifeguards are on seasonal patrol between April 1 and November 30.
Mr Adams said the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, which patrols almost 240 beaches across Britain and the Overseas Territories, recently assessed Bermuda’s lifeguard service and evaluated six local beaches: Horseshoe Bay, Clearwater Beach and Turtle Bay — which are counted as one — Warwick Long Bay, Admiralty House, John Smith’s Bay and Shelly Bay.
The minister explained: “The assessment will allow the Department of Parks to better understand potential risks, map out hazards, optimise equipment locations and operational areas for emergency responses.”
The parks department and Department of Employee and Organisational Development are also reviewing the roles and pay rate for lifeguards.
Mr Adams said: “As we continue to face challenges in staffing our lifeguard service, it is crucial that we take both immediate and long-term actions to address these issues.
“Through increased funding, restructuring efforts and collaboration with expert organisations like the RNLI, we are committed to strengthening our lifeguard service and ensuring that our beaches remain safe for residents and visitors alike.”
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a minimum of five years’ experience as a National Vocational Beach-qualified lifeguard, possess a valid heavy truck driver’s licence and pass a course and physical and drug assessments.
• Applicants can access forms at gov.bm/online-services/lifeguardservice or the Department of Parks office on Church Street, with an application deadline of April 4. Further details can be found by calling 236-5902 or e-mailing njtrott@gov.bm
• To see Jaché Adams’s statement in full, see Related Media
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