The government is being called on to close beaches to the public following two deaths at sea.
The chief executive of the RNLI, the largest coastal life-saving charity in the UK, has written an open letter saying that the easing of lockdown had created an 'impossible situation' for lifeguards.
Mark Cowie wrote that the charity was having to choose whether to put lifeguards or the public at risk.
Despite warnings that no lifeguards were on patrol, the RNLI had their busiest weekend of the year so far due to crowded beaches, hot weather and large waves.
In Cornwall, two people died in two separate incidents.
On Monday, a 17-year-old girl died after a boat capsized near Wadebridge and a man died after being pulled from the water by a member of the public in Padstow.
In a third incident, surfers pulled an unconscious man from the water in Porthtowan, Truro. He is being treated for life-changing injuries.
“With thousands flocking to English beaches now lockdown restrictions have been eased, we must choose between keeping the public or our lifeguards safe,” Mr Cowie wrote.
“Safety advice and warnings will only go so far when people are desperate to enjoy some freedom after weeks of lockdown.
“As a lifesaving charity, the RNLI cannot stop people going to beaches – but the government can – before more lives are lost around our coast this summer.”
He said rolling out a lifeguard service during the pandemic was not a simple matter and that the RNLI had learned of plans to ease lockdown at the same time as the general public.
Lifeguards often have to do in-water rescues and give first aid, which is normally conducted at close quarters and often with people coughing up water, he said.
There are also issues around finding PPE which must be effective in the water and on beaches.
Lifeguards also need training in procedures to reduce the risk of infection.
“All this takes time and we learnt of the lifting of restrictions at the same time as everyone else,” Mr Cowie wrote.
“So, we’re asking for help to manage an impossible situation – we’re asking the public to heed our safety advice and we’re asking the government to restrict access to the coast until we have lifeguard patrols back on beaches.
“Only then can we keep the public safe from the sea and our lifeguards safe from the virus.”
Addressing the incidents on Monday, Chief Inspector Ian Thompson, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “These are extremely upsetting circumstances and our thoughts go out to all involved.
“It has been a very tough day for local emergency services and we are asking for anyone with information on the above incidents to contact police quoting the applicable log number.”
