Mark Dowie, the Chief Executive of the RNLI, has called on the Government to restrict public access to many of the UK’s beaches until lifeguards can return to duty.
Mr Dowie issued an open letter after two people died – including a 17-year-old girl – in separate incidents along the Cornish coast on Bank Holiday Monday.
It has been reported that the 17-year-old girl drowned after she became trapped beneath a boat that had capsized.
The second victim, a male, had been pulled from the water by beach-goers after he was found face-down in the sea.
In the letter, Mr Dowie said:
“Despite our warnings that there were no lifeguards on patrol this weekend, crowded beaches, hot weather and big waves meant our lifeboat crews had their busiest weekend so far this year. At least two people lost their lives.
“This puts the RNLI in an impossible situation. With thousands flocking to English beaches now lockdown restrictions have been eased, we must strike a balance that keeps the public and our lifeguards safe.
“Safety advice and warnings will only go so far when people are desperate to enjoy some freedom after weeks of lockdown. But, as a lifesaving charity, the RNLI cannot stop people from going to beaches.
“Rolling out a lifeguard service – especially in a pandemic – is not as simple as putting a lifeguard on a beach. We found out about the easing of lockdown restrictions in England at the same time and in the same way as the general public. Contrast that with shops, which were given three weeks’ notice and even car showrooms have been given 7-days warning to prepare.
“We have to work out how to do in-water rescues and give first aid – normally conducted at close quarters and often with people coughing up water.
“We have to find PPE that will work on a beach and in the water – visors and aprons are no good on a rescue board. And we have to train our lifeguards in procedures to reduce the risk of infection. All this takes time, and we learnt of the lifting of restrictions at the same time as everyone else.
“Lifesaving is our priority. But the fundamental sustainability of the charity is also a consideration. Local authorities contribute just 20% of the £20M needed to pay for a normal lifeguard season – the remaining £16M comes from RNLI donations.
“Right now, our charity faces an expected £45M shortfall in funding by the end of the year because many of our fundraising activities have had to stop.
“No-one is to blame for the situation we find ourselves in.
“We’re asking everyone to help manage an impossible situation, so please follow our safety advice and think before you head to the coast”.
While you are here…
We pride ourselves on reporting on what is happening on the front line of the emergency services, armed forces and NHS. Our in-house team of reporters are all former emergency services, armed forces or NHS staff.
But during these challenging times, we need the help of our readers and supporters to bring you the national stories which matter; stories which many sections of the mainstream media simply are just not interested in.
We aim to challenge the negative spin, created by some sections of the mainstream media who seem to love nothing more than to undermine the work of our emergency services.
But we cannot do this, without your help.
If you would like to become a donor, then please click on the link below. Any amount will be much appreciated; whether a one-off payment or a reoccurring monthly one.
Please CLICK HERE to become a donor —>
TODAY’S TOP VIDEO
Before you go...
We need your help. As former emergency services & armed forces personnel, we pride ourselves on bringing you important, fast-moving and breaking news stories & video which are free from the negative bias which is often directed at the emergency services & NHS by some sections of the mainstream media.
One of the reasons we started 'Emergency Services News' was because we became tired of reading badly informed stories about the emergency services & NHS which seemed only ever to highlight negative aspects of the job.
We want to be the unheard voice of the remarkable men and women who serve in the emergency services, NHS and armed forces. And with around 500k page views each month, we are getting there!
As income from ads, the mainstay source of income for most publishers, continues to decline; we need the help of you, our readers.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
