Drownings prompt calls for more lifeguard patrols
Fri 10 March 2006
Gail Loader, Communication
Tourism authorities have called on Sunshine Coast councils to increase lifeguard patrol hours, following three drownings on unpatrolled beaches so far this year.
In the wake of this tragic loss of life, John Fitzgerald of Tourism Sunshine Coast is appealing to local council authorities to extend the hours of beach patrol.
He says people are swimming outside current lifeguard patrol times and need to be protected.
ABC Online reports that Sunshine Coast lifesavers are experiencing a rec
ord number of rescues on patrolled beaches this year.
Local Maroochy Shire Council (MSC) member for Coolum and former Chief Lifeguard, Bruce Dunne, has weighed into the argument.
He will urge the council to consider extending patrols and to increase funding for necessary beach safety resources at the next budget meeting.
“During daylight hours there are more people swimming at unpatrolled beaches than patrolled beaches,” Cr Dunne said.
Cr Dunne said there had never been a drowning on Maroochy Shire beaches between the flags.
The most recent incident occurred when two surfers found the naked body of an elderly man floating 30 metres off Coolum Beach.
Previously, two interstate men died after being caught in rips on unpatrolled beaches.
The Sunshine Coast Daily reported that a 54-year-old man perished off Teewah beach, north of Noosa, shortly after new year.
Also, a Sydney KFC employee, 46, attending a conference at Novotel Twin Waters resort, was swept to his death as his colleagues watched on helplessly at Mudjimba beach.
His death occurred less than an hour after lifeguards had finished their patrol, The Courier Mail said.
A similar incident occurred in 1993 when a Pepsi employee drowned at a Coolum beach while attending a conference at the Hyatt Regency.
The Sunshine Coast boasts 65 kilometres of beautiful coastline, with the local councils having permanent patrols at specific beaches.
Currently the Maroochy Council has lifeguards on eight beaches from Mooloolaba to Coolum between 7:30am and 4:30pm during the week. During the Christmas holidays hours are extended to 6pm.
The rapidly rising Coast population and increased numbers of visitors from rural areas and overseas is leading to more people taking to the water without understanding local surf conditions
.
ABC Online’s Bush Telegraph program found that a third of people who drown in the surf are visiting from over 50 kilometres away.
A new initiative designed to give children an understanding of open water, while increasing practical water safety skills, is being introduced into schools across the country.
Many overseas visitors do not have the same life experiences as Australians and may not have been exposed to beaches or swimming, Cr Dunne said.
“No flags, no swim,” is the surf safety motto Cr Dunne wants beachgoers to remember to help avoid tragedy.
Image(s) designed by Gail Loader