The Department of Parks is advertising to recruit lifeguards for the 2025 season, with about ten days left to apply.

Its appeal came after Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, described attracting people to the job as “mission impossible”.

Three people died from swimming-related incidents at two beaches last year.

Hyon Duk Shin, a 49-year-old visitor from Pennsylvania, tried to save a child struggling in the waves at Horseshoe Bay on March 27, but died in the water before emergency services arrived.

Jamie Lambros, a 48-year-old tourist from New York, also tried to assist a child in distress at the beach on October 7, but was pronounced dead at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Later that month, Angelito Manila, a 44-year-old guest worker from the Philippines, was pulled to shore after being found unresponsive in the waters at Elbow Beach.

Mr Manila, who worked as a waiter at the Coral Beach Club, died at KEMH days later.

No lifeguards were present when the three incidents happened.

Colonel Burch told the House of Assembly last May that lifeguard pay was being increased and work permits fast-tracked in a bid to recruit more people to watch over the island’s beaches.

He added later: “We have been trying this year, both with offering more money and doing various things, to attract people to be lifeguards.

“It’s been mission impossible, quite frankly.

“Very few Bermudians are interested in doing the job. We used to rely on overseas college students to come and do that but that number has reduced.”

There were 14 lifeguards — seven full-time and seven reserve — patrolling the island’s beaches as of June, but the ministry said 21 full-time positions were needed to provide comprehensive coverage beyond Horseshoe Bay.

An advertisement in The Royal Gazette last week said that the lifeguard season generally ran between April and November and that lifeguards must be “mature, reliable people who possess excellent public relations skills”.

They must be able to monitor activities in the water to prevent emergencies, respond to incidents and deliver first aid and emergency care.

They are additionally required to attend workshops, review beach safety procedures and maintain lifeguard equipment.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old and need to pass the Initial Swim Assessment to qualify for a mandatory training course.

The first two swim assessments took place on January 3 and 5, and a third will be held promptly at 2.30pm on Sunday at the National Sports Centre pool.

Questions sent by the Gazette to the Government included how many people had so far responded to the advertisements and the total number of lifeguards that the parks department hoped to have on its books.

There was no response by the time of publication.

Additional information about the role is provided in a recruitment package, which can be collected at the Department of Parks office on Church Street or by visiting gov.bm/online-services/lifeguardservice.

• Applications close on January 17. Contact 236-5902 or njtrott@gov.bm for more information