§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what systems of flag symbols are used on bathing beaches to signify the safety level of swimming conditions. [124248]
§ Mr. MullinThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency understands that there are three levels of flag symbols used to signify the safety level of swimming conditions on bathing beaches.
1. Red and Yellow flags signify that Lifeguards are on patrol and that Swimming or Boogie Boarding should only take place in the area between the flags.
2. A Red Flag means that it is dangerous to bathe or swim and the water should not he entered.
3. A quartered black and white flag indicates the area is zoned for surf craft and Malibu boards. This flag indicates that the area is not safe for swimmers and bathers.
§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what his Department's policy is in relation to the provision of life protecting and saving services around the shoreline of the UK(a) on recognised recreational bathing beaches and (b) elsewhere. [124249]
§ Mr. MullinThe then Secretary of State for Transport announced in Parliament on 9 March 1992,Official Report, columns 409–10W, that following acceptance of the recommendations of the coastal review that the role of Her Majesty's Coastguard needed to be clearly defined and promulgated and that by the authority given to him by the Coastguard Act 1925 it had been agreed that:
Her Majesty's Coastguard is responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of civil maritime search and rescue within the United Kingdom search and rescue region. This includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea, or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline of the United Kingdom.Thus, in response to incidents on or to seaward of recognised recreational beaches, HM Coastguard can mobilise, task and co-ordinate search and rescue helicopters, RNLI inshore and all-weather lifeboats, Coastguard Rescue Teams and Beach Lifeguard Units where provided by local authorities. Elsewhere on the coast the same search and rescue units can be mobilised and tasked though Beach Lifeguard Units are not normally found other than on recreational beaches.