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DPS requires clearance for water events
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Posted on Sep 07 2004
To ensure public safety, the Department of Public Safety is requiring the public to get clearance for certain recreational activities in the sea.
“Organizers should get clearance from the boating safety division before they go out to the sea,” said the DPS.
This as DPS noted that Sugar Dock remains closed from the public following a series of drowning incidents in the area.
The department earlier decided to prohibit recreational activities at Sugar Dock to avoid any repeat of similar unfortunate events.
“It’s off-limit for swimming because we’re also paying the price,” said DPS commissioner Ed Camacho recently.
He said recreational activities could be done at commercial areas where there are more people to monitor activities, including lifeguards from establishments.
In the meantime, BTS division chief Capt. Pete Muna has warned people to stay away from the waters during bad weather.
“When the weather is bad or if the sea is rough, be wise. Don’t go out there,” he said.
The department said it continues to patrol Sugar Dock and other beach sites to ensure public safety.
Just recently, Sugar Dock claimed at least five lives with the latest victim drowning while snorkeling with his 10-year-old son beyond the reefline.
The boy reportedly survived by clinging to his father’s floating body.
Prior to this incident, three Chinese, and a male Chamorro had drowned at Sugar Dock’s waters.
Camacho, meanwhile, called on the public to be water-sport smart, and begin taking swimming lessons for personal safety.
“Let’s be water-sport smart from the start. It’s important that we know how to swim because we’re surrounded with a vast ocean,” he said.
Camacho has said that the occurrence of several drownings at Sugar Dock justifies looking at proposed developmental projects in the area.
The local community earlier rejected a proposal to develop the area citing cultural and ecological values.
The project would have involved dredging, which is believed to influence and improve the water currents at the Sugar Dock area.
