Six lifeguards from Britain’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution have been hired to provide year-round cover at Horseshoe Bay Beach, the Government said today.

Each of the group is on a two-year contract as efforts are made to establish a consistent professional lifeguard service and prepare for the peak tourism season.

The Ministry of Public Works and Environment said: “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 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.”

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, met the new lifeguards at Horseshoe Bay this week.

He toured the lifeguard stand, watched equipment demonstrations and held talks about beach conditions and safety practices.

Mr Adams said: “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.”

The ministry confirmed that accommodation was arranged for the six full-time lifeguards.

A spokesman explained: “They are housed together in two shared three-bedroom apartments and the cost of that accommodation is fully subsidised by the Government under the terms of their contracts, as is standard practice for this type of arrangement.

“The ministry also continues efforts to recruit Bermudians into year-round lifeguard roles.

“As previously indicated, the goal is to build a full complement of eight consultant lifeguards, and there remain two available full-time positions.

“Bermudian applicants are encouraged to apply to the Department of Parks, and the same housing arrangements and support package that are in place for the current full-time lifeguards are available to Bermudians as well.”

Mr Adams told the House of Assembly in March that the Government was advertising for eight full-time consultant lifeguards for one to two-year periods.

His comments then came two months after the parks department advertised for 20 lifeguards in the wake of three people dying off Bermuda beaches last year.

Hyon Duk Shin, a 49-year-old visitor from Pennsylvania, died while trying to save a child struggling in the waves at Horseshoe Bay on March 27, 2024.

Another visitor, 48-year-old Jamie Lambros from New York, was pronounced dead at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after an incident at Horseshoe Bay on October 7 that year.

Angelito Manila, a 44-year-old guest worker from the Philippines, died days after being found unresponsive in the waters of Elbow Beach on October 24, 2024.

No lifeguards were present when the incidents occurred.