The Town of Chincoteague and the Accomack Board of Supervisors are working to create a partial solution to the lack of lifeguards at the Assateague Island Seashore this year, WBOC reported.
The popular vacation destination has been unable to hire any lifeguards after federal cuts to the National Park Service’s budget. Assateague’s six lifeguard positions and its chief lifeguard position are all unfilled.
Thursday night, the Town of Chincoteague and the Accomack Board of Supervisors met to discuss a possible cost-share agreement with the National Park Service to contract lifeguard services for the Virginia side of the park.
The NPS has indicated a $90,000 commitment to the $117,035 emergency lifeguard cost. Chincoteague and Accomack would split the remaining cost, each paying about $13,000.
“This new lifeguard contracting deal between the town of Chincoteague, Accomack County, and the National Park Service — while long overdue — is welcome news. State, local, and federal cooperation is a must, but we also need to ensure that we are strategic when it comes to blanket personnel decisions like hiring freezes. This problem should’ve been avoided in the first place,” Congresswoman Jen Kiggans told WBOC in an email.
This would still leave the Maryland side unmanned for the time being.
Currently, a notice on Assateague’s website warns that there are no lifeguards on duty in either Virginia or Maryland. Beaches remain open for swimming and other water activities. It advises swimmers to be aware of rip currents and plunging surf. It also suggests wearing a life jacket in or near the water.
Last year, Assateague’s lifeguards completed 24 rescues and oversaw at least 21 incidents that would have otherwise required emergency services.
In the busy summer season, Assateague is a popular vacation destination, especially for its famous wild horses. The 100th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim, one of the town’s biggest tourist attractions, is July 30. It’s expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
