rishard.khan@guardian.co.tt
Lifeguards at T&T’s flagship tourist destination, Maracas Bay, are concerned about beachgoers’ safety over the Easter weekend, according to patrol captain, Karl Hernandez, as they continue to grapple with insufficient resources.
Speaking to Guardian Media during a visit to the popular beach, Hernandez said measures were instituted for the long weekend but he doubts how effective they will be.
“The only thing changed more or less for the weekend is that they called out everybody (lifeguards) but everybody comes like next to nothing because all we have is 16 lifeguards,” he said.
“Sixteen lifeguards for 20,000 people. Think about it. We are still thankful that we have the jetski,” he said.
Hernandez said just two of the seven lifeguard towers on Maracas beach are operational, which forces lifeguards to be on constant patrol.
“I think they could do better than that,” he said.
He said it was especially concerning for beachgoers at Tyrico Bay just a few minutes further down the road where there weren’t any lifeguards. The beach has already claimed the lives of five people since Christmas- the latest being 28-year-old Vishal Persad in February.
“If you go now, Tyrico is full. It have no lifeguards across there because it have no facilities, they have no vehicles,” he said.
Drownings at this beach have mainly been attributed to dangerous rip currents that form. However, in January, a long-time resident of the North Coast, Donna Felix, told Guardian Media that human misjudgement is also to blame.
Hernandez said despite numerous complaints and pleas, they continue to be told it’s a financial issue for authorities.
“The delay tactic they use right through is that they have no money (and) in the new financial year they will do something. Every time the new financial year comes—nothing,” he said.
Guardian Media reached out to line minister, Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds, for comment on the matter. However, none was forthcoming up late Friday