Seventeen miles of beaches along the Mayaro coastline have long been a favourite destination for many, but beneath its picturesque surface lies a hidden danger—deadly rip currents.
Every year, these rip currents claim lives, and while concrete data is not available, Lifeguard Captain Karl Hernandez believes at least ten people drown annually on the eastern coasts, particularly in Mayaro.
Speaking yesterday, Hernandez said only a quarter of the Mayaro beaches are manned by lifeguards. He noted that drownings have increased annually while the resources of the lifeguards have dwindled. Hernandez said with no patrol boats, jet skis, or manpower, it was impossible to save everyone who got into difficulties.
This was the case on August 31 when beloved cricketer Rajeev Chaitram drowned while trying to save his two cousins. Chaitram, 33, an opening batsman for Cedar Hill United Cricket Club, had gone to a beach house at St Ann’s Road, Mayaro, with his wife, Chantal Mahadeo, and their four children—Isabella, 6, Rayon, 5, Riad, 3, and two-year-old Ciara Chaitram—when tragedy struck.
Before Chaitram’s death, several others drowned in separate incidents, including firefighter Stephen Marcano.
None of them could withstand the powerful, fast-moving channels of water that pulled them away from shore.
Hernandez explained that rip currents are not easy to spot, describing how to identify them from shore: “Sometimes the water looks dirty, and you see white rolling out. There are sections where waves break less frequently, or choppy, swirling patches that move differently from the waves.” He added that debris or foam often moves out to sea.
“Most people don’t realise they’re in a rip current until it’s too late. By the time they notice, they’re already being pulled away from the shore. That is why you should never swim where there is no lifeguard,” Hernandez advised. He noted that some of the worst areas, such as Indian Bay, are not patrolled by lifeguards, and rescues occur every other day in areas where patrols are frequent.
Hernandez called on the public to exercise safety by observing the red-and-yellow flags.
“If you find yourself caught in a rip current, don’t panic. Conserve your energy. Don’t try to swim directly against the current—it’s too strong. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current, then make your way back.”
Meanwhile, the MP for Mayaro Rushton Paray acknowledged that lifeguards couldn’t patrol all 17 miles of beach. He urged the public to exercise caution by swimming only in areas where lifeguards patrol. Paray called on the government to increase patrols in Mayaro and to declare safe zones for swimming so the public can safeguard themselves. He also called for an ongoing public education campaign to raise awareness about the risks associated with rip currents.
“Do not go into the water if there are red flags. Avoid consuming alcohol before swimming. Families visiting Mayaro with children should always supervise them because ocean currents can be exceptionally strong. Keep them within arm’s reach, and always swim with a companion in designated swimming areas,” Paray advised.
Chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation, Raymond Cozier, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety and avoiding swimming when there are no lifeguards present.
Guardian Media reached out to Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds regarding the alleged shortage of resources for lifeguards, but there was no response.
Drowning victims
Shivannie Ramkarran, 24, drowned- April 2021
Fareed Ali Kassim, 73, - September 2023
Vikash Samaroo, 21, - April 2022
Allon Ramdial, 3, - December 2022
Wayne Wilson, 57, April 2022
Stephen Marcano, 34, April 2021 (firefighter)
