Beach or Swimming Area Recommendations
Beach or Swimming Area Recommendations
1) All swimming areas should be posted with safety/warning signs at entrance or entrances to area
2) Perimeter of an open water swimming area should be marked off by ropes and buoys. This is to designate the swimming area for both swimmers and boaters. Lines should be securely anchored and buoys should be no more than 25 feet apart and at points where lines are joined. If there is a swim float/platform in the swimming area, it should be located WITHIN the designated swimming area and should not be part of the perimeter marking line
3) The swim area must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved life ring in an easy to locate area. The life ring needs to have a rope attached that is equal to 1 ½ times the maximum width of the swim area or 75 feet, whichever is less
4) There should be one approved life ring for each three hundred (300) feet of water frontage in the designated open water swimming area. It should be centered within each 300 foot section. Additional units should be used if conditions exist which might restrict access, such as a brook or culvert. If river swimming, one unit should also be located at the down river end of the swimming area
5) If a swim platform is provided, it must be in at least 8 feet of water, if not, it should be posted, “NO DIVING” (or the universal symbol for no diving) on all four sides of the deck so that it is visible from shore
6) Even if you do have lifeguard(s), the swim area should be checked hourly by the owner/manager during swimming hours. A regular walk through will create a “presence” that will help insure rules and regulations are being followed
7) Prior to the opening of the swim area (or annually) the bottom of the swim area should be checked for obstructions (logs, bottles, rocks or boulders, etc…). You are responsible for any hazards in the swim area and therefore must inspect it regularly to prevent injuries.