Short-staffing and a lack of equipment are the main complaints of lifeguards on Trinidad beaches, most of which are controlled by the Ministry of National Security. There are less than 100 lifeguards covering ten beaches, while at least 200 are needed.

A recent video on social media highlighted the problem, as a lifeguard was seen warning bathers at Maracas Bay that he and others like him were under strain.

Sunday Newsday visited the Macqueripe, Chagville, Maracas Bay, Tyrico, Las Cuevas, Quinam, and Los Iros beaches on Friday.

In the west at Macqueripe and Chagville, no lifeguards were present. Sunday Newsday was told those beaches were controlled by the Chaguaramas Development Authority, and lifeguards operate on weekends and public holidays.

At Macqueripe, one beachgoer said, “If lifeguards are here, we’ll feel good, but honestly, I don’t think it makes a huge difference. I believe it’s people’s own responsibility to take precautions and stay safe. Lifeguards could drown too.”

Another beachgoer said, “I don’t feel safe without them here. If they are here, I would go and bathe further out, but without them I have to stay close to the shore.”

On the north coast, Las Cuevas patrol captain Carlyle Ryan said the lifeguard association isn't asking for much, but in comparison to other organisations that fall under the ministry, they feel completely ignored.

[caption id="attachment_968596" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Children approach a lifeguard at Quinam beach on Friday. - Marvin Hamilton[/caption]

"A little over ten years ago, we had some trainees from the area who were trained as full-fledged lifeguards. They brought them on just for weekends, public holidays, a little long stint with the Easter and Christmas holidays, and all of a sudden, it cut, the government cut funding. I have lifeguards that are overworked, and all we're asking for is about three guards to back up the unit until they put their house in order."

“This unit had 15 guards, one passed away, another retired, two were sent to Maracas Bay to replace a retiring patrol captain, another lifeguard died earlier this year, the two murdered lifeguards were also from here, so I’m short seven people, and I have not been given any replacements.”

He said due to understaffing, he is often charged with the sometimes impossible task of manning the Las Cuevas beach on his own.

“I was one of the guards who never wanted to strike to put the bathers at risk. When it comes to protest action, we could protest and work, I could wear a ribbon on my jersey, I could walk up and down with a placard and I’m protesting.”

Ryan also said there is a lack of equipment.

"They bring one jet ski, the jet ski there for over a year now. I came out of lockdown to retrieve the jet ski, and they took the keys and carried them away. You know why? They say it have a ball and pin attachment and they don't have the ball yet, to get the jet ski from the shed to the water. That is just about $300."

He noted that the ministry had offered lifeguards at Las Cuevas