Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge has announced that Cabinet has approved the expansion of lifeguard services at select unmanned public beaches.
Speaking at a media conference on Carnival Friday, he said the expansion of lifeguard services was both necessary and timely, especially during the long Carnival weekend, when many people visit beaches, including those that have remained unmanned for years. Tyrico, Balandra, Mitan River Point, Bon Espoir, Grand Lagoon and will now benefit from the expanded coverage.
While acknowledging that the rollout of the expanded lifeguard services may take some time, Minister Sturge said interim measures have been put in place, including the calling out of lifeguard reserves along with members of the Coast Guard for the next week.
“For the next seven days, it started yesterday and ends next Thursday, we have called out all of our lifeguard reserves. We’ve also increased strength by calling out a few of the lifeguards from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. We’ve also provided a couple of the smaller naval assets to patrol the east and southeast and along Moruga. Yesterday, we acquired two or three, I think it was, three jet skis to help us along the coast, the Mayaro Coast.”
Minister Sturge acknowledged what he called “a sad reality”—that while Trinidad and Tobago are islands, many do not know how to swim. As such, he urged beachgoers to practice water safety.
“Although there’ll be an increasing number of lifeguards and we’ll have assistance from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and we’ll have jet skis and patrols and all that, we beg that you nonetheless, those of you who go to the beach, practice water safety because when a current pulls you under, if the jet ski doesn’t get to you in two minutes or three minutes max, what is search and rescue will become retrieval. So be aware of your surroundings. Some beaches, there are strong currents, they are known for their strong currents, undercurrents.”
The Defence Minister also urged beachgoers to limit their alcohol intake, as going into the water while inebriated can lead to disaster.
“Alcohol will impair your judgment. Alcohol will make you do things that you wouldn’t ordinarily do and you might want to be a hero and then you lose your life in the process. So we ask again that you practice safety.”