Beach lifeguards back with ‘take care’ plea
THE RNLI has urged the public to take care on the coast as lifeguards return to eight beaches in the South West.
The usual rollout has been delayed because of safety fears during the coronavirus pandemic, and only about one-third of the usual number of beaches will be patrolled this summer, the charity says.
RNLI patrols will start tomorrow at Gwithian, Fistral, Mawgan Porth, Polzeath, Constantine, Perranporth and Widemouth in Cornwall, and at Croyde in Devon.
David Page, RNLI lifesaving manager, said: “We would encourage the public to follow the Government’s advice on social distancing and take care to understand the risks at the coast and the necessary steps to keep themselves safe.”
The charity said that since lockdown restrictions were eased it had to put in infrastructure for the service, made more complicated by the need to make sure lifeguards were operating safely during the pandemic, including having personal protective equipment and new ways of working.
The news comes after the charity this week faced widespread criticism for not having lifeguards on beaches during the pandemic and for calling on the Government to restrict access to the coast until cover was restored. The RNLI made the plea after two people died on the Cornish coastline on Monday.
St Ives MP Derek Thomas said: “Many Cornish people are fully aware of beach risk and safety and behave accordingly. It’s far better for Cornwall Council – in our case – and the RNLI to accelerate the return of lifeguards rather than close beaches.”
The RNLI says the other beaches that will be patrolled this summer will be confirmed “as soon as possible”.