Morocco enhances safety on public beaches

2008-08-15

Moroccan beaches are safer to visit than ever before. Authorities have provided significant resources to guarantee safer bathing, including equipment for rescues at sea, first aid centres and well-trained lifeguards.

By Hassan Benmehdi for Magharebia in Casablanca – 15/08/08

[Getty Images] Moroccan authorities have provided more equipment, personnel and training than ever before to increase beach safety.

During the summer months, Morocco's Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts continue to be the number one destination for both Moroccan and foreign tourists seeking refuge from the summer heat. In an effort to protect bathers from the dangers of the sea, Moroccan authorities are providing more equipment, personnel and training than ever before.

With thousands of kilometres of coastline and numerous beaches, the task of protecting bathers from injury or death is far from simple. Historically, the onus has fallen on local authorities to put safety measures in place, including rules, signs and lifeguards.

Given the high number of drowning incidents recorded in previous years on Moroccan beaches, and the goal of attracting 10 million tourists by 2010, national authorities have decided to step up preventative and emergency response efforts to protect bathers.

On May 15th, the Civil Protection authority, in partnership with local authorities in coastal towns, deployed hundreds of lifeguards around the country, including more than 160 in Casablanca's Anfa Prefecture alone.

This summer, the lifeguards were recruited through competitive trials and subsequently inducted by the Civil Protection authority. Trainings in rescue techniques required several days of tutorial and practical work.

On the Sidi Bouzid beach in El Jadida, lifeguards Abdelhadi and Hamid said that this year they had been provided with two rescue dinghies, a speedboat and an ambulance to assist in their work. The results have been positive.

In Casablanca, the number of drowning incidents in June and July fell from 130 in 2007 to only 42 in 2008.

The Casablanca City Council issued a statement describing the "drastic reduction in the number of drowning", particularly in the bathing areas in Lalla Meryem, Ain Diab, Dar Bouazza and Mohammedia.

Summer visitors welcomed the stepped up efforts, but called upon holidaymakers to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary risks and respect safety routines put in place for the public.

"True, the authorities have brought in lots of men and equipment to make things safe for holidaymakers and stop them drowning," said students Abdelali and Majid on the beach in Ain Diab, "but the public also needs to follow instructions and advice from lifeguards."

Hassan, an expatriate now living in France, told Magharebia: "Parents must stay with their children and supervise them very closely, because the sea is still dangerous."