The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps (ERRC) of Gozo has said that its lifeguard service to the community in Gozo and Comino is not only about providing assistance to swimmers, but also as an informative role, to help both local and foreign swimmers be better informed before they enter the water.

This type of information is passed to the public by means of the flags that are always seen on top of the lifeguarding towers. Each colour describes the condition of the sea. A green flag signals safe sea conditions, a yellow flag shows potentially high surf or dangerous currents, a red flag means that the surf is high, dangerous currents, or both, and a double red flag, which the most serious of all flags, indicates that swimming is prohibited. A purple flag is used to indicate that there could be dangerous marine life such as jellyfish.

The ERRC said that information is also made available to the public through signs which are located on the beaches as well as through informative beach safety talks and practical sessions for children as part of the Skola Sajf activities, with the aim of helping them to be more aware of beach safety as they reach adulthood.

The Emergency Response and Rescue Corps is providing a lifeguarding service in Xlendi Bay, Marsalforn Bay, Ramla Bay and Hondoq Bay in Gozo, and Blue Lagoon and Santa Marija Bay in Comino. The ERRC facebook page also has a daily status of each of the beaches under its responsibility.

The lifeguarding service in Gozo and Comino is possible due to financial support from the Malta Tourist Authority. Support is also being provided by the Ministry for Gozo, Mgarr Marina, Transport Malta, Malta Police, Armed Forces of Malta, and the Civil Protection Department.

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