Michael Pender, Jan Klempar and Paul Mullen
31 Jan 2024 · Coroner Andrew Cox · Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
The coroner's concerns
1. seasonal lifeguard staffing shortages
“The government took the decision to offer furlough to those in receipt of PAYE as at the end of February 2020. Most of the c1600 lifeguards who work on the 250 beaches where the RNLI are present are seasonal employees. They did not qualify for furlough. At that point in time, the RNLI was in the process or recruiting and training the seasonal lifeguards it required. When furlough was not offered, a number had to seek alternative means of income. As lockdown was eased and lifeguards were required”
2. delayed lifeguard mobilisation
“The lack of advance notice given to the RNLI of government's intention to relax lockdown and allow people to travel to the beach again. The RNLI anticipated the difficulties developing. It wrote to the Department of Transport and the Prime Minister to make sure the relevant people were aware of the problems. By letter of 24 April 2020, [name redacted], Minister for Aviation, Maritime & Security informed the RNLI Chief Executive that: 'Officials will ensure RNLI is notified as far in advance as”
3. PPE procurement challenges
“The RNLI had considerable difficulties sourcing PPE on the open market. Thought may wish to be given to whether it should have priority access to government stock in the event of a future pandemic”
4. inadequate beach safety guidance
“In 2016, seven men drowned at Camber Sands in East Sussex. My colleague, HM Senior Coroner Mr Craze, wrote a series of PFDs. This led to the publication by the MCA of previously lacking guidance for landowners and local authorities on how to manage beach safety and is to be welcomed”
5. conflicting legal responsibilities for beach safety
“The MCA also commissioned from DWF a report reviewing legal responsibilities for beach safety that was available in January 2019 but not published until November 2020. It identified a confused and conflicting legal landscape where there was no clear legal duty to provide lifeguards and most owners/occupiers were acting out of social conscience than for any other reason. All stakeholders wanted greater clarity to be introduced. That has not happened and there has been no formal government”
6. fragmented beach safety governance
“Neither the MCA, nor the Department for Transport (DfT), has any wider responsibilities for beach safety policy or legislation”