WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament David Seferina wants the Curaçao government to consider introducing professional lifeguards at the island’s most heavily visited beaches as part of a comprehensive beach safety policy.
The proposal is among a series of questions submitted to Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof on October 7 following recent incidents in which tourists reportedly lost their lives in the sea.
Seferina said professional lifeguards are used at beaches in many other tourism destinations and asked whether Curaçao could adopt a similar approach to increase protection for tourists and local residents.
The parliamentarian also wants details about a cooperation agreement between the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) and Blauwe Kruis aimed at improving medical assistance during emergencies at beaches.
Seferina asked Middelhof to explain exactly what the agreement covers, what responsibilities CTB and Blauwe Kruis have and what assistance the arrangement guarantees when someone requires urgent medical care at a beach.
Beyond emergency medical response, Seferina is asking whether the government has developed a comprehensive “beach safety” plan.
He wants to know whether such a strategy includes prevention, emergency response, rescue equipment, warning signs and other measures aimed at reducing the risk of serious incidents.
According to Seferina, recent deaths demonstrate the need to examine whether existing arrangements are sufficient.
The MP argued that the issue has implications beyond individual beaches because tourism remains an important part of Curaçao’s economy. Serious incidents could also negatively affect perceptions of the island as a tourism destination if adequate preventive measures are not in place.
Seferina said the objective should be a clearly organized policy with concrete measures to make beaches safer for everyone using them.
He has asked Middelhof to provide his answers in writing.