Some lifeguards will ditch umbrella rentals

Myrtle Beach will opt to have more lifeguards on the beach that only watch the water.

Lifeguard franchisees have agreed to reduce by half the number of stands on the beach where employees sell or rent items in addition to guarding, Lt. Joey Crosby of the Myrtle Beach Police Department told City Council Tuesday. He said the fire department, police and lifeguard franchise owners have been discussing ways to improve safety on the beach.

“That way it gives more lifeguards focusing on the water at all times,” he said.

The companies that provide lifeguards do not receive money from the city directly, so their guards sell drinks or rent umbrellas in addition to watching the water. Other areas along the Grand Strand use a similar system, with the exception of North Myrtle Beach, which employs its guards directly and rents umbrellas through different city employees.

Crosby said emergency services and lifeguards will also work together to start watching the shoreline from the water with two Jet Skis.

“That way, we have a Jet Ski from the water that can see from the water in, for those that may get out on boogie boards or various other objects that need that assistance,” Crosby said. “Our response time would be a lot quicker than having to swim out to them.”

He also said beach patrol was looking at opening a “business watch” group with businesses along the shore, similar to a neighborhood watch.

Safety proposals will come before the beach advisory committee in its Wednesday meeting.

This story was originally published November 8, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Some lifeguards will ditch umbrella rentals."