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Lifeguard program reports increased activity; Coastal Commission emergency permit approved for CTA work
Summary
Marine safety staff told the committee that lifeguard hours have been extended and that the Coastal Commission approved an emergency permit for a CTA project with short- and longer-term work zones; lifeguards reported rescues, public-education contacts and activity spikes during spring break.
Marine safety staff reported April 22 that lifeguard operations have expanded hours and that the California Coastal Commission issued an emergency permit for a CTA shoreline project covering both a 30-day and an eight-month work zone.
Marine safety reported extended business hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and said there have been more than 5,000 beach visitors since the last meeting. Staff provided operation tallies: 4,398 incidents, 14 swimmer rescues, 330 preventative actions, 3,327 public-education contacts, 29 medical incidents and 625 law-enforcement incidents since the prior report.
Staff said the CTA project received an emergency permit from the Coastal Commission and described two work areas: Area 12 on the west side of the railroad tracks with a 30-day work window, and Area 3, an eight-month project on the east side of the tracks where a revetment wall will be installed parallel to the tracks. Staff said the Area 3 project’s eight-month duration is tentative.
The lifeguard program also reported training and program activity: tower placement updates (two towers currently out on the beach with a third at Linda Lane expected within about a month); a recent ocean-safety presentation to local schools; and results from a swim-test session — 389 tested with 296 passing. Staff announced registration dates for tiered lifeguard or swim programs beginning April 30 for residents.
Staff noted increased reports of stranded or abandoned boats and of marine mammals found sick or dead; staff also flagged limited staffing on weekdays (five lifeguards) and weekends (10 lifeguards) during higher-use periods.
Ending: The department said it will provide additional scheduling and staffing information as summer approaches and will follow up on abandoned-boat removal and CTA project timelines.
