The Ministry of Public Works and Environment is pleased to announce that six lifeguards from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in the United Kingdom are now providing year-round lifeguard services at Horseshoe Bay Beach.  

The new arrivals, each on a two-year contract, are supporting efforts to establish consistent professional lifeguard coverage throughout the year and to prepare for upcoming peak tourism and cruise seasons.

They arrived in September and have been on duty since that time, using the past several weeks to become familiar with local conditions, operational procedures, and lifeguard operations across the Island. Once the seasonal programme resumes, these lifeguards will support the wider network of beaches traditionally covered during peak months.

Their deployment follows a local recruitment drive earlier this year that did not yield a sufficient number of suitably qualified applicants. As a result, these full-time lifeguards are serving as a temporary measure while the Department of Parks continues to advance efforts to attract, train, and retain Bermudians for long-term roles in lifeguarding.

This approach forms part of a wider strategy to enhance beach safety, support local teams, and strengthen the resilience of lifeguard operations throughout the year.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, the Hon. Jache Adams, JP, MP, visited Horseshoe Bay Beach to meet the new lifeguards and observe their operations.

During the visit, the Minister toured the lifeguard stand, viewed equipment demonstrations, and held discussions about beach conditions and safety practices.

Minister Adams commented: "These new lifeguards are here for three key reasons. First, they strengthen our coverage across major beaches throughout the entire year, not only during the traditional summer period.

“Second, their presence helps reduce the risk of incidents in our waters, particularly at locations with strong surf and high visitor activity. Third, they will give advice on how to make lifeguarding more attractive to Bermudians.

“For many years lifeguarding has been viewed as a seasonal role for returning students. If Bermuda is to build a strong and dependable year-round service, the profession must be seen as a viable full-time career."

The Minister added: "I thank the RNLI for its expertise and for working closely with our Ministry. Their partnership has been invaluable as Bermuda strengthens its approach to coastal safety. Training and recruitment of Bermudians remain priorities, and these full-time guards will help ensure that our beaches remain safe while long-term improvements take place."