This year’s swimming season will begin with the usual safeguards today and end on 31 October, the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) said in a statement on Friday.
The bureau has sent staff to set up swimming buoys at Hac Sa (“Black Sand”) Beach and Cheoc Van (“Bamboo Bay”), according to the statement, adding that the bureau will deploy lifeguards and paramedics as usual at the city’s two beaches during the swimming season.
The bureau reminded members of the public and swimmers to pay attention to the notices and flags on site before swimming at the beaches, and in case of any emergencies, the public can seek assistance from the lifeguards or paramedics on duty, the statement pointed out.
The statement stressed that lighting fires, camping and riding bicycles or driving motor vehicles are strictly prohibited on the beach to avoid affecting other beachgoers. Therefore, the bureau has installed a public safety message board on Hac Sa Beach to publicise the code of conduct at the beach and to remind swimmers about beach safety.
Besides, DSAMA will provide real-time information about the two beaches on its official website and the bureau’s mobile app for the public to check real-time images from and the flagging at the two beaches, so as to make it easier for the public to keep track of the flow of people, flagging and sanitary conditions there.
Lifeguard and paramedics’ duty hours during the swimming season will be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during weekends and public holidays, according to the statement.
This undated handout photo provided by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) on Friday shows a DSAMA vessel setting up swimming buoys at Hac Sa (“Black Sand”) Beach.
