RNLI lifeguards to patrol Eastney Beach for the first time
From Saturday 3 July, Eastney Beach in Southsea will welcome the RNLI lifeguards as they patrol the beach this summer.
Eastney Beach is the newest beach to be patrolled by RNLI lifeguards in Portsmouth joining the area’s other established beaches of Southsea East, Southsea Central, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton East (East) and Littlehampton East (West).
Councillor Ben Dowling, Portsmouth City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development, says: 'We are really pleased to be welcoming RNLI lifeguards to Eastney Beach this summer, they play a vital role monitoring the sea conditions and keeping beachgoers safe. We encourage anyone taking a dip in the sea to stick to the extended safe swimming areas, patrolled by lifeguards, where the depth and currents are more predictable and help is on hand in an emergency.'
Last year, the lifeguards also patrolled Southsea West; however this year a decision has been made to move the beach lifeguard unit to Eastney, which is a more popular area for swimmers.
Craig Maltby, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor says:
‘Last summer, RNLI lifeguards recorded more than 15 million visitors on the beaches they were patrolling and there are predicted to be up to 30 million beach visitors this year. We ask that people choose a lifeguarded beach if there’s one within reach. That way, lifeguards will be on hand to offer safety advice and can help if a difficult situation arises.’
Littlehampton’s RNLI beach patrols have already begun this year and lifeguards are there daily. Bognor Regis is currently being patrolled at weekends and then every day from 10 July.
Southsea beaches and the newly introduced Eastney beach will start their lifeguard patrols from 3 July.
All beaches are patrolled between the hours of 10am-6pm.
If you are heading to the beach this summer, please remember to:
- Choose a lifeguarded beach
- Swim between the red and yellow flags
- Float to Live
Notes to editors
· To find your nearest lifeguarded beach: rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches
· For RNLI Beach Safety advice: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sarah Beck, Media Engagement Placement on 07929 673280 or [email protected] or Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer on 07785 296252 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.