CONWAY — The controversial observe of lifeguards additionally dealing with chair and umbrella leases, or “twin function” lifeguarding, is now banned on Horry County’s seashores simply in time for summer season.
Horry County Council accepted three separate seven-year seaside franchise agreements March 21 that prohibit dual-role lifeguarding alongside 14 miles of seashores in unincorporated areas inside the county, together with Backyard Metropolis Seaside and Shore Drive.
The brand new agreements begin Might 15 and proceed till Might 14, 2030, in line with county paperwork.
Myrtle Seaside Metropolis Council plans to vote March 28 on town’s new seaside franchise agreements, which might ban the observe on town’s seashores. The observe is taken into account unsafe by the U.S. Lifesaving Affiliation.
Randall Webster, assistant Horry County administrator for public security, stated the county already deliberate to resume its current seaside franchise agreements this yr with North Strand Seaside Providers Inc., Seaside Providers Ltd. and South Strand Seaside Providers, LLC.
Since Webster and different county officers had obtained public complaints about dual-role lifeguarding on county seashores, he stated they determined to ban the observe within the up to date franchise agreements.
“We hope that it will make the seashores safer and higher for everyone,” Webster stated.
Within the new agreements, lifeguards usually are not allowed to have another duties, together with renting out seaside gear and umbrellas, similtaneously lifeguarding.
Different firm staff can hire out the seaside gear, however they are going to be required to put on totally different figuring out gear to assist keep away from confusion for the general public between them and the lifeguards, in line with county paperwork.
These providing leases will nonetheless want water security and first-aid coaching to offer extra assist throughout emergency conditions to the lifeguards, in line with county paperwork.
The businesses additionally might want to submit indicators to make beachgoers conscious of when lifeguards are leaving the seaside for the day.
The observe of twin function lifeguarding got here beneath scrutiny after a jury awarded practically $21 million final yr to the household of a Maryland man who drowned in 2018 in Myrtle Seaside. The jury decided that Lack’s Seaside Service Inc. — a lifeguarding firm based mostly in Myrtle Seaside — was “negligent and reckless” in working its enterprise by participating in unsafe practices.
Horry County’s resolution additionally comes after Tammy Perreault, 63, of Surfside Seaside died in August after she was impaled by an umbrella swept away by the wind alongside Backyard Metropolis Seaside.
Comply with Nicole Ziege on Twitter @NicoleZiege.