Deepest sympathies are extended to the family, friends and loved ones of the unidentified man who tragically drowned at Goodman’s Bay on Sunday past. This heartbreaking incident, along with observations during my recent visits to the beach, serve as glaring reminders of the urgent need for life guards to ensure the well-being and protection of beachgoers across The Bahamas.

Summer is a time for families to enjoy the beautiful seashores that surround our islands. However, the currentconditions at these beaches do not meet expectations as they are inconsistently and inadequately maintainedand supervised. Garbage often lines the coast and limited trash cans are brimming over, while awaitingcollection.

The absence of lifeguards on our beaches poses a significant risk to patrons, particularly children, who requirevigilant supervision. It is critical that the government hire, train, and station lifeguards on beaches to providefirst-aid and CPR, and to safeguard lives.

Furthermore, the actions of some persons on jet skis who recklessly bypass buoys to ride up to shore, frequentlyperforming stunts, pose a direct threat to the safety of swimmers. I encourage the government in partnershipwith the Royal Bahamas Police Force to provide increased regulation and supervision by intensifying foot andmarine patrols, and strictly enforcing the law, to ensure the responsible operation of watercraft.

The government must swiftly rectify these vexing issues. It is off-putting to witness public funds being allocatedto ventures that do not directly benefit everyday Bahamians, while the condition of the facilities at our beachesdeteriorates. Showers do not work, bathrooms are locked or malfunctioning, supplies are restricted orunavailable. This is unacceptable for those who seek comfort and convenience. Such negligence undermines theexperience and leaves a negative impression on families and all who come to enjoy our shores.

I have experienced firsthand the issues plaguing our beaches. This weekend, as on previous occasions, our familyspent time driving to multiple beaches on New Providence seeking parking and a free square foot of sand. It issad that tens of thousands of citizens are regularly crammed on limited beaches while access to other parts ofthe island are illegally restricted and the government fails to address the issue. When we finally settled on abeach, my time was mainly spent picking up broken glass and debris, worrying about unsupervised children,avoiding unleashed dogs running freely on the sand, and fearing a group of jet ski riders who exhibiteddangerous behavior. This atmosphere of anarchy overshadowed what should have been a joyful family outing forme and so many others.

It is time for the government to take immediate action and allocate the necessary resources to ensure thataccidents are prevented, and Bahamians do not have to contend with broken amenities or unsanitary conditionsduring their visits to our beaches.