To the editor:
Considering the recent, disastrous event at Long Beach, I would urge all of you who read this letter, to contact Rockport selectmen and demand that they put full-time lifeguards on their three main beaches — Long Beach, Cape Hedge and Front Beach.
In the past, when I have asked for full-time life guards, they have refused, saying that it would cost too much. In the past, when beachgoers needed to be rescued, surfers risked their own lives to save others. What price do the Rockport selectmen put on a life, I wonder?
If there had been a lifeguard on Long Beach last week, there might have been a very different outcome.
With summer weather starting in March this year and going into October last year, beach season is getting longer.
It's not acceptable to only have lifeguards during the summer if we have 70-80 degree weather in the spring and fall. Long Beach should have three lifeguards, Cape Hedge should have two and Front Beach at least one life guard. They should patrol from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m,, seven days a week, from March through October — unless we are under a foot of snow.
In addition to having fully staffed, full time life guards, Rockport must post signs on both ends of the Saratoga Creek bridges, warning people of the dangers of swimming in and near the creek. The creek is polluted as well as being extremely dangerous during high flood and ebb tides.
Lastly, there needs to be a riptide and high surf warning system in place. I would like to see a flag pole at each of the main beaches, where a flag could be flown to warn beach goers to stay out of the water when swimming conditions are too dangerous.
Claire Harper
Rockport
