RNLI lifeguards for Ceredigion
24/02/2009
RNLI lifeguards will be on duty on eight beaches in Ceredigion this Summer for the first time.
They will patrol in Borth, Clarach, Tresaith, Aberporth, Llangrannog, New Quay, Aberystwyth North and Aberystwyth South.
Ceredigion is the second Welsh local council to team up with the RNLI to provide lifeguards on its beaches. Pembrokeshire was host to Wales's first RNLI lifeguards last Summer, and they will patrol there again in 2009.
Philip Davies, RNLI Lifeguard Deputy Divisional Manager for Wales, says: ‘The RNLI's aim is to provide a seamless rescue service from the beach to the open sea and that is being realised in Ceredigion. The RNLI already has a number of lifeboat stations in the county, and volunteers crews will be working closely with the new lifeguards to achieve our our aim.
‘We are thrilled that Ceredigion County Council has taken steps to bring the RNLI's quality training and equipment to its beaches which will enable us to make a significant difference in terms of safety. With beaches becoming more crowded, patrolling lifeguards get to casualties faster, which helps us to save even more lives.'
Ceredigion Councillor Eurfyl Evans says: ‘Ceredigion county council is committed to ensuring the safety of beach users, be they residents or visitors, and we now look forward to working with the RNLI.'
Previously, the council employed around 25 lifeguards on its busiest beaches in high season. The RNLI will provide a like-for-like service and will be in touch with these local guards as its recruitment drive gets underway.
The lifeguard posts will be funded by the council, while the extensive training and equipment needed by the lifeguards will be paid for by the RNLI.
Lifeguards interested in working for the RNLI should log onto our jobs site for more information.
