The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Environment, through the Regional Directorate for Environment and Climate Action, met last Monday with the Regional Commission for Bathing Safety where issues with surveillance and bathing safety were addressed. Everything was discussed so that the next bathing season runs smoothly, especially for users.
Preparation work for the bathing season, as usual, started at the end of last year, with the identification of bathing waters and bathing waters for each municipality, as well as training activities for lifeguards to obtain the necessary approvals in the exams. to which they are subjected. Analyzes were also carried out on the quality of sea waters, preparation of applications for blue flags and investments in improving the conditions of users and bathers, ensured by the Regional Government, Maritime Authority, Municipalities and the different concessionaires.
It should be noted that several institutions took part in this meeting, such as the Captaincy of the Port of Funchal represented by the Regional Commander of the Maritime Police of Madeira, Captain of the Port and local Commander of the Maritime Police of Funchal and Porto Santo and Commander of the Maritime Zone of Madeira, Rui Teixeira, Regional Health Directorate, represented by Marco Magalhães, Association of Municipalities of the Region represented by Nuno Moreira, Frente MarFunchal represented by Marília Andrade and David Cunha, Regional Civil Protection Service represented by the Deputy Regional Operational Commander, Valter Ferreira, SANAS represented by the Operational Commander of SANAS in the Region, Ângelo Abreu, municipality of Porto Santo represented by Rubina Brito, Clube Naval do Funchal represented by António Cunha and Carlos Morais representing the Lifeguards.
The Regional Director of Environment and Climate Action, Manuel Ara Oliveira, having presided over the meeting declared that “in relation to bathing safety, everything is being done to guarantee the safety of our bathing beaches. Both employers and companies providing surveillance and security services have taken steps in this direction. Now, as the Captaincy of Funchal issues beach notices, it will be confirmed whether all conditions are effectively guaranteed, namely the number of lifeguards needed for each beach”. On the occasion, an ambition reiterated by lifeguards, particularly those who provide this service throughout the year, was also addressed, with the aim of making this professional activity more attractive, with the President of the commission, Manuel Ara, making a commitment to monitor the reform of the status of these professionals, long announced at national level, and ensuring a proposal suited to the regional reality.