Boy drowns - lack of lifeguard cover threatens Algarve's 'safe' reputation

At the end of May the lifeguard situation at Portugal’s swimming beaches was not looking good as many beach business concession holders lacking the necessary lifeguard cover in order to be able to operate within the law.

The Algarve’s beaches were said to have more cover in place than at beaches in other parts of the country with the head of the Institute of Lifeguards, Nuno Leitão, saying that there were 3,000 more licensed lifeguards than there are jobs.

The official swimming season opened on June 1st but some of the Algarve’s beaches still lacked the required lifeguards, confirming the earlier view of the president of the national beach concession-holders association, João Correia, that there were not enough trained lifeguards to fill the positions available.

Safety is compromised at the start of what promises to be a record year for Portugal’s tourism industry. News on Saturday that a 16-year-old had drowned off an Algarve beach that lacked the necessary lifeguard support has served to highlight the problem in the saddest way imaginable.

The young man dived into the water from the rocks at Três Pauzinhos beach at the mouth of the Guadiana, Vila Real de Santo António, and was caught by a rip-tide. He was swept away, as was his girlfriend who managed to make it back to the rocks.

The alert was given at 18:30 and a search began immediately. The boy’s lifeless body was recovered half an hour later and declared dead at the local health centre.

Nuno Leitão from the lifeguards’ institute insists that hiring lifeguards is the responsibility of the beach concession-holders but that many have left it too late and suggests that local councils find a solution.   

Barlavento reports that many beaches are still closed with concession holders’ deckchairs and equipment stacked high waiting to be used when lifeguard cover is in place.

At Alegre Beach in Quarteira, there are signs at the concession area that read ‘Warning - drowning hazard - unguarded beach’ and the lifeguard hut is empty.  

At one of the hugely popular Praia da Rocha concession areas the Maritime Police have been obliged to shut down the business as there was only one lifeguard. The same has happened at Coelha Beach in Albufeira and at Arrifana Beach, Aljezur.

This urgent situation is threatening the Algarve’s reputation as a safe place for a beach holiday with many concession at the region's top beaches either operating outside the law or closed down.

This no longer is a concession holders problem and maritme forces may need to be brought in to cover beaches that otherwise may be the scene of further tragedies.

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