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Puerto Rico senators press for lifeguards and funding after seven drownings at Condado beach
Summary
Senators demanded immediate lifeguard coverage and new funding after witnesses and DRNA officials told a Senate hearing that only a small fraction of maritime vigilantes are trained for open-water rescue and that DRNA needs additional resources — roughly $500,000, officials said — to staff lifeguards at Condado.
Senator (Chair) told a Senate committee investigating Resolution 176 that seven people have drowned at Condado beach since November, and he pressed the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) to place trained lifeguards there immediately.
DRNA representatives said the agency can recruit and train lifeguards but lacks the necessary funds. "Estamos evaluando esa posibilidad… necesitaríamos una asignación de fondos para eso, como de medio millón de dólares," Samuel Acosta said, summarizing the department's estimate for a staffing and operations package. Acosta and Gerardo Hernández, the parks-program subsecretary representing DRNA, said the department has training capacity and can expand the lifeguard roster if funding is approved.
Why it matters: Condado is a high-traffic…
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