The Nantucket Board of Health on Monday approved a variance request from Nantucket Community Sailing to accept US Sailing instructor certification as the core safety credential for its instructors instead of a standard lifeguard certification.

Diana Brown, representing Nantucket Community Sailing, said US Sailing certification trains instructors to rescue capsized boats, remove sailors from the water and manage on‑water rescues; the program requires students to wear life jackets and instructors to be certified in first aid and CPR. Brown provided a letter from U.S. Sailing supporting the request.

Heather (Health Department inspector) reviewed the distinction between pool or beach lifeguarding and boating instruction. She said lifeguard certification emphasizes swimming‑based rescues and post‑drowning care, and recommended lifeguards at both sailing locations (Judd’s and Polpis/Powder House areas) because of the dispersed locations. Several board members asked whether sailing certification plus first aid/CPR covered the same lifesaving skills as a lifeguard training course and whether it would be practical to require every instructor to hold both credentials.

Board members split. Malcolm and Meredith said US Sailing certification and the program’s staffing model (on‑water safety boats and low instructor:student ratios) supported the variance. Jim and Carrie voted no, citing concerns about the speed at which on‑water emergencies can unfold and the value of lifeguard training for some scenarios. The motion to grant the variance passed 3–2.

Board discussion noted the program’s accreditation: Nantucket Community Sailing is the island’s accredited US Sailing organization, and board members said accreditation weighed heavily in their decision. The board conditioned its vote on the program maintaining its safety protocols, including life‑jackets, first aid and CPR training for instructors and appropriate staffing ratios.