The Nantucket County Board of Health on Oct. 27 approved a one-year variance for Next Level Watersports, adding a condition that the operator employ two Red Cross-certified lifeguards. The variance covers seven requested waivers presented by the operator; the board approved the waivers for one year and required that staff report back after summer inspections.

John Veery, owner of Next Level Watersports, joined the meeting remotely and said the program had “an awesome year” with no safety incidents and successful inspections. He described operations out of the town pier, a collapsible pop-up tent used as a temporary shelter, daily weather monitoring and a variety of onboarding and in-house training for staff. Veery said every boat carried first-aid supplies and that staff are first-aid and CPR certified; larger boats carry expanded medical kits.

Board members expressed concern about the distance between activity locations and the town pier and asked about contingency plans for restroom access. Veery described fallback options including transporting a camper to shore, use of an industry-recommended portable “WAG” bag system designed for wilderness sanitation, and private handling to maintain dignity and hygiene. The board debated whether to grant a multi-year variance given the number of waivers; one member said closer monitoring was appropriate due to the higher-risk water activities.

Meredith asked that the operator employ two people with formal Red Cross lifeguard certification so a lifeguard would be available at all times; Veery said two certified lifeguards were used this past season and the operator could continue that practice but noted certification costs and turnover considerations. The motion to approve the one-year variance with the added condition that the operator employ two Red Cross-certified lifeguards passed by voice vote.

The board recorded the variance as a one-year approval; staff will report back after inspections and flag any incidents that would prompt reconsideration.