Kincardine loses Blue Flag status; safety audit calls for $30,000 in improvements

By: Liz Dadson  February 29, 2016  1825

Kincardine has lost its Blue Flag status for 2016, and is facing about $30,000 in improvements to Station Beach as outlined in a Lifesaving Society safety audit which comes to the council table for debate Wednesday night (March 2).

In a letter to recreation director Karen Kieffer, dated Feb. 24, Blue Flag program manager Ashley Wallis states that, on behalf of Environmental Defence, the national jury did not award Station Beach the 2016 Blue Flag.

"The national jury would like to return Station Beach to Blue Flag 'candidate' status for the 2016 season, as the municipality works toward implementing the primary recommendations outlined in the Lifesaving Society's safety audit," states Wallis in the letter. "Environmental Defence and the national jury would like to continue to work with the Municipality of Kincardine as it develops policies, procedures and materials to mitigate drowning risks at Station Beach. It is our sincere hope that Station Beach flies the Blue Flag again in 2017."

The safety audit contains numerous recommendations for improvements to Station Beach including:
 

• Institute "patrol supervision" staffing on Station Beach - a minimum "patrol supervision" during the swimming season; the patrol would be at least 16 years of age, hold at least the Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion award or higher, have training in waterfront patrolling and emergency procedures relevant to Station Beach, and be equipped to permit a response to situations.

• Designate the beach area adjacent to the south and north piers as a non-swimming area - Due to the presence of strong rip currents, this area is extremely dangerous for swimming, especially when winds and waves are high. A "no swimming" zone should be designated that extends at least 250 metres south of the south pier and north of the north pier.

• Designate a safe swimming area - The swimming area intended for use by patrons should be clearly designated through signs, beach flags and buoy markers. The distance between buoy markers should be no more than 100 metres. These markers should be no more than 150 metres from shore. The north boundary of this designated area should be located at least 250 metres from the south pier.

• Install at least one lifesaving station on each pier - There is a need for these stations to be installed to ensure the public has access to rescue equipment to assist with an in-water emergency. Equipment should include a buoyant throwing aid attached to a six-millimetre line at least eight metres in length; and a reaching pole at least 3.65 metres in length.

• Create written policy and procedures for beach patrol operations - To ensure staff is aware of policies and procedures for the safe operation of the beach, a policy and procedure manual should be created. Staff with responsibilities at this site should review this manual and be familiar with its procedures.

The safety audit also contains six secondary recommendations, mainly to do with signage of the beach.

In her report to council, Kieffer states that staff has reviewed the safety audit and agrees that the recommendations should be phased in over the 2016-17 swimming seasons, and requests council authorize staff to proceed with the implementation of the primary recommendations for the 2016 swimming season, at an approximate cost of $32,500.

The safety audit was prompted last fall by pleas from the public for council to do something to prevent drownings in Lake Huron at Station Beach. Lucas Johnson of Goderich drowned near the south pier last August.

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Liz Dadson

Liz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.

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