El Campello banned bathers finally allowed to swim

AFTER 14 days of red flags on the beaches of El Campello due to the non­existence of lifeguards and a first aid service, normality returned on Saturday, July 15, and bathers could finally swim.

An emergency contract was agreed, and the signs warning bathers of the danger involved in going into the water due to the lack of rescue personnel were removed. Green and blue flags are now flying. The blue flags, indicating a clean beach, were withdrawn voluntarily when the town hall understood it was not logical to fly them when there was no rescue and first aid service.

On Saturday morning, the councillor for Beaches, Rafa Galvañ, visited all the lifeguard posts, and greeted the new management company. He wished “the best service” to the lifeguards. “Hopefully your work is not necessary, because that will mean there are no incidents to regret,” he told them. The situation arose due to failure of the contracted com­ pany to provide the services, which included a strike called by the workforce. The council decided to terminate the contract, immediately beginning the search for another company who could carry out the service under certain criteria.

“After 14 days that have gone on forever, hours and hours of searching and negotiations and titanic work by officials from various departments, our beaches and coves reopen for the enjoyment of users,” said Rafa Galvañ, who watched as the bathers applauded each time the red flag was removed to change it to a green one.

“Everything is back to normal today thanks to some brave businessmen, and it is time to thank those who solved a crisis that caused so much damage to the image of the municipality,” added the mayor.

The lifeguards are already on duty at Carrer la Mar beach, the three on Muchavista and those on the Lanuza and Amerador coves. As the workforce increases, the service will be restored in the rest of the coves.

The two adapted bathing areas are also functioning normally, and the new management company, the ForGrup firm, reports that two nursing professionals, two technicians, two jet ski operators, two ambulances, six defibrillators and six oxygen tanks are operational.