Although it is a legal obligation to have beach watchers employed by private entities at the observation points, this does not seem to be always implemented in Albanian beaches.
“We currently have 1,200 licensed lifeguards, when there are 2,900 beach stations throughout Albania that should be fully covered with lifeguards, but in fact less than half do it,” says Robert Necaj, vice president of the Albanian Federation of Beach and Rescue Lifeguards.
“State institutions are in violation of the law. It is the national agency of the coast that issues permission to open beaches without lifeguards, and this deficiency is their responsibility”.
After a simple observation of Top Channel in a sector of Durrës beach, turns out that mostly the checkpoints are either abandoned, or they are staffed by employees without uniform.
Even in cases where the beach lifeguard is present, he does not only have that duty, but is also used for other jobs.
Robert Necaj: The beach watcher has surveillance-rescue duties, it should not be mixed with other work. Must always be present with the uniform authorized by the Federation.
Rightly vacationers worry that public coastal spaces are not only occupied by private entities, but they face rising prices and security conditions on beaches do not improve.
“We feel insecure, we have to be careful ourselves”, says one interviewee.
“There should be lifeguards because there are many people on the beach, they should feel safe. Even though the sea here is shallow, the watchmen must be present”, say the tourists.
Top Channel
