A One Bermuda Alliance MP has urged the Government to “expedite” the hiring of lifeguards for the island’s beaches.

Craig Cannonier, the Shadow Minister of Public Works, also called on the Government to improve working conditions and prioritise the retention of Bermudian lifeguards.

He said: “If necessary, bring in qualified professionals temporarily to ensure our beaches are protected, because failure to act decisively now could cost lives.

“Let us be clear — lifeguards are not optional, they are essential.

“The time to act is not tomorrow, or next month; it is today.”

The statement came after Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, told the House of Assembly on Friday that the Government was seeking eight full-time lifeguard consultants to patrol high-traffic beaches throughout the year.

Mr Adams said they 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”.

Mr Adams said that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 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.

Mr Cannonier highlighted that the minister has acknowledged continuing issues in the hiring of lifeguards including a decline in applications, low starting pay and an over-reliance on seasonal workers.

He said while it is encouraging that the Government is engaging external expertise for the job through the RNLI, the busy tourism period is rapidly approaching and such matters should have been settled “long before now”.

Mr Cannonier added: “I cannot stress enough the importance of having adequate lifeguard coverage at our public beaches — especially as we approach the upcoming cruise ship season.

“Bermuda’s beaches are a treasured part of our tourism offering, but without proper safety measures in place, we are putting lives at risk and damaging our reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.”

“This cannot become another example of action delayed. We’ve had tragic reminders of what’s at stake.

“The safety of both residents and visitors must come first, and it is unacceptable that we are still scrambling weeks before the cruise ships begin arriving in greater numbers.”

Last year, three people died in swimming-related incidents at two beaches on the island.

No lifeguards were present when the incidents occurred.

In January, the Department of Parks made renewed efforts to recruit 20 full-time and reserve lifeguards for the 2025 season.

Mr Adams told the House on Friday that 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.