File- Two Beach Safety Officers pose alongside a Beach Safety sign at Little Bay Beach, Tortola.

Virgin Islands Lifeguard Programme Coordinator Mr. Mervin Hastings

Mr. Hastings has also acknowledged that one of the challenges is what he terms as aquaphobia.

According to Wikipedia, Aquaphobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of water. People suffer aquaphobia in many ways and may experience it even though they realize the water in an ocean, a river, or even a bathtub poses no imminent threat. They may avoid such activities as boating and swimming, or they may avoid swimming in the deep ocean despite having mastered basic swimming skills.

Mr. Hastings said, however, that the aim of the programme is to work on the culture of the people in an effort to shake the fear away and get more persons to become lifeguards. “There are a lot of beaches to be covered although there are safety signs on those beaches but more life guards would always be welcomed.”

In 2005, Government approved a budget for the Virgin Islands Lifeguard programme, which resulted in the active duty of five lifeguards in 2007. Lifeguards are presently active at Cane Garden Bay and Josiah’s Bay beaches and run a flag warning system on all Tortola north shore beaches. The programme presently consists of four lifeguards, two beach safety officers, a lifeguard supervisor and a programme coordinator and operates under the Conservation and Fisheries Department after a brief stint at the BVI Tourist Board.

In May 2010, Zacharri Stoutt and David Donovan became the first two local graduates from the Virgin Islands Lifeguard Programme with aquatic rescue standards for ocean lifeguards.