First reported 28 May 2020•Latest report 7 Aug 2020
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures to publish, update or communicate clear information about beach lifeguard coverage, patrol locations and timings, reduced or absent service, and planned mitigation through coastguard or other emergency resources.
Not included
Excludes actual shortages, staffing levels or deployment failures where the public-information process is not itself deficient.
Excludes general beach-safety warnings, water-hazard signage and public information unrelated to communicating lifeguard coverage or its mitigation.
Excludes failures in lifeguard rescue performance or emergency response after coverage information has been communicated reliably.
Excludes generic government accountability or beach-safety policy deficiencies without a direct failure to provide public information about lifeguard coverage.
Reports
4
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2020–2020
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
6
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency4
Royal National Lifeboat Institution4
Department for Transport2
Maritime rescue body4
Maritime safety agency4
Ministerial department2
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Lack of a published public plan for managing reduced lifeguard service
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Deliver local, regional and national beach-safety communications through media, social media, websites, radio, television, leaflets and stakeholder distribution.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 October 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
There is no legal duty to provide lifeguarding, and service provision requires landowner or occupier request or consent.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised2
Lack of publicly available information on beach lifeguard cover
Lack of a published plan for mitigating lifeguard-cover shortfalls
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Disseminate beach-cover information and safety messages through websites, social media, press, broadcast media, campaigns and stakeholder leaflets.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 October 2020.
Action
Work with Surf Life Saving GB on additional beach safety services and public risk-awareness provision.
Stated by Maritime and Coastguard AgencyStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 October 2020.
Action
Deploy additional HM Coastguard vehicle patrols to high-risk coastal areas during the busy summer season.
Stated by Maritime and Coastguard AgencyStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 October 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
Position
Existing announcements, websites, social media and safety campaigns were considered sufficient to inform the public about limited lifeguard coverage and beach risks.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
The RNLI is the main provider of beach lifeguards and can provide detailed information about the lifeguarding approach.
Stated by Maritime and Coastguard AgencyRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Landowners, chiefly local councils and the National Trust, are responsible for beach facilities and safety measures.
Stated by Maritime and Coastguard AgencyRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Responsibility for beach users’ safety rests with the landowner or occupier, rather than the RNLI.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Beach lifeguard provision is outside the respondent’s statutory and specific responsibilities for beach safety.
Stated by Maritime and Coastguard AgencyOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Lack of publicly available information on planned lifeguard patrol locations and timing
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Revise and expand summer RNLI lifeguard coverage by working with landowners and councils to confirm additional beach cover.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 July 2020.
Action
Make public announcements detailing confirmed beaches and timings for the lifeguard-service rollout.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 July 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Beach safety is outside the agency’s statutory or specific responsibilities.
Stated by Maritime and Coastguard AgencyOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Beach safety and lifeguarding provision fall outside the respondent’s remit, which is limited to coordinating coastal and sea search-and-rescue responses.
Stated by Department for TransportOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of public information on planned beach patrol locations and timing
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Revise and expand summer RNLI lifeguard coverage by working with landowners and councils to confirm additional beach cover.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 July 2020.
Action
Make public announcements detailing confirmed beaches and timings for the lifeguard-service rollout.
Stated by Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 July 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Beach safety is outside the agency’s statutory or specific responsibilities.
Stated by Maritime and Coastguard AgencyOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Beach safety and lifeguarding provision fall outside the respondent’s remit, which is limited to coordinating coastal and sea search-and-rescue responses.
Stated by Department for TransportOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
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Includes failures to publish, update or communicate clear information about beach lifeguard coverage, patrol locations and timings, reduced or absent service, and planned mitigation through coastguard or other emergency resources.
