There is a shortage of around a thousand lifeguards to guard Portuguese beaches during the summer. According to the National Maritime Authority, five people have died by drowning at sea since the beginning of the year until 30 April
According to Público newspaper, despite the hot temperatures being felt earlier and earlier, it is not yet mandatory to have the beaches guarded throughout the year. However, the newspaper speaks of exceptions, as is the case of Matosinhos.
According to Público, the Matosinhos Câmara has a team of lifeguards who are present on the beaches of the municipality throughout the year, since 2018. To the newspaper, the Civil Protection councillor, Marta Pontes, explains that there are eight professionals who are active even outside the bathing season and that the work involves rescue and salvage, but also by awareness-raising actions with the bathers.
Público also reports that in recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to recruit people for this activity, and that the municipalities that can have professionals active throughout the day are Matosinhos, Viana do Castelo, Nazaré, Cascais, Almada and Albufeira.
According to the National Maritime Authority, the Institute for Shipwreck Rescue, which is the entity that certifies lifeguards, certified 582 new professionals until the 10th of May, thus reaching 4331 professionals in total. However, the AMN explains that normally the country has between 5200 and 5500 lifeguards.
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