No lifeguards were on duty during October 7, when a visitor to the island lost his life during rough seas, as the Ministry of Public Works had to contend with “severe staffing shortages” for the job, a spokesman said.

Nor were there lifeguards posted throughout that week, with the ministry referencing remarks from the House of Assembly last May on its difficulties recruiting staff to keep watch over the island’s beaches.

The death of 48-year-old Jamie Lambros, of Deer Park in New York, was reported by overseas media, as the victim’s family called for changes to safeguard the iconic beach.

His brother, Joey Pappas, told the New York channel ABC7: “We want change, we want tourists to be safe, we never want anyone else to feel this pain ever.”

Family of Mr Lambros said he died after he swam to the aid of a child in difficulty.

A GoFundMe page set up by relatives had raised more than $43,000 towards its $50,000 goal by yesterday — funds to take the body of the visitor home and cover his funeral expenses.

The death of Mr Lambros, a cruise ship passenger accompanied by many of his family members, echoed that of Hyon Duk Shin of Pennsylvania, who died on March 27 rescuing a young child struggling in high waves.

A ministry spokesman told The Royal Gazette: “Like every other country in the world that has beaches, we post that there are no lifeguards on duty and strongly urge swimmers not to enter the water.”

Earlier this month the island was buffeted by powerful swells generated by the passage of Hurricane Kirk to Bermuda’s east.

The public works ministry said that, in light of the rough sea conditions, ‘high surf’ warning signs were posted along South Shore beaches on the day before the death of Mr Lambros, “in addition to signage at Horseshoe Bay Beach warning swimmers that no lifeguards were on duty”.

It added: “On a given day, the Department of Parks requires at least five seasonal lifeguards to provide coverage at Horseshoe Bay Beach, depending on factors like the number of cruise ships in port, to provide lifeguard services.

“The Ministry of Public Works continues to explore solutions to address the staffing shortages despite the challenges with lifeguard recruitment.”