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The committee to define the nature of the seashore or beaches where bathers flock for a swim, as to being a very busy crowded area, has been formed the Regional Unity of Zakynthos.
The committee set a total of 11 beaches that meet the criteria to be classified as crowded, and simultaneously specifying the number of lifeguards required, which for this year will be 17.
This issue, however, remains difficult not only for the municipality of Zakynthos but also for the majority of municipalities throughout Greece, as the interest of professionals to be employed as lifeguards is minimal.
As a result every year the municipality is called upon to pay a large financial fine, for the fact that it has not ensured the presence of lifeguards on all beaches that are considered as crowded.
According to the relevant FEK – Government Newspaper -, the committee decides taking into account, for example, the average daily attendance of at least three hundred (300) bathers during peak periods for a (1) kilometre of coastline, any accidents in the past and reasons relating to the particularities and peculiarities of each area, etc.
As far as lifeguards are concerned municipalities are required, during the months of June, July, August and September and from the hours 10.30 – 17.30, to recruit an adequate number of lifeguards. Each lifeguard controls a shoreline in a radius of 200 meters on both sides of the ‘tower’. If the liable person has at least three (3) lifeguards, he is required to recruit a (1) coordinator-supervisor lifeguard.
According to the committees decision, defined as crowded beaches are:
Agios Nikolaos Vassilikos with 1 lifeguard,
Banana Vassilikos (up to 350 meters northern from the banana baya coffee bar) with 1 lifeguard,
Tsilivi with 3 lifeguards,
Alykanas (from Neraida restaurant to Alykanas Beach Hotel) with 2 lifeguards,
Alykes from the 5-arch bridge to the Konstantine Beach hotel with 2 lifeguards,
Laganas from the main road of Laganas to Louis) with 3 lifeguards,
Gerakas with 1 lifeguard,
Keri lake with 1 lifeguard,
Lagana (from the main road to Vezal) with 1 lifeguard and
Kalamaki (from Tsagaropoulos – Belesi to the Crystal) with 2 lifeguards.
It is noted that the 11 beaches include the shipwreck coast. However, as the municipality does not proceed to the concession of it to private individuals, there is no obligation to hire a lifeguard.
In the committee that defines crowded beaches participate:
as President the Harbour Master A. Sioutis,
while the Deputy Regional Governor, El. Nikotopoulos, as representative of the Ionian Islands Region,
with his deputy, thematic deputy regional governor D. Basta,
Dim. Varvarigos as representative of the Municipality of Zakynthos,
with his deputy I. Kokla.
ermisnews.gr.
