Bay Watch in Klaipeda

The sea gives us much pleasure and joy. However, even the smallest waves can sometimes be very dangerous and crafty for people. This summer in Klaipeda alone fifty six people were saved by the lifeguards, but efforts to save other six were in vain...

Lithuanian and Latvian coastal municipalities joined their forces to guarantee the best European level life saving service on the sea beaches and to develop a unified bay -watching system in the Baltic Sea Region. The project "Bay Watch" is the first in INTERREG IIIA program, priorities North and South. The overall objective of the project is to promote the safety level for beach visitors on the Baltic Sea coastline. This will be achieved by the development of a unified and internationally standardised training system for life-guards, preparation of common saving system and standards, purchasing of appropriate life saving equipment and construction of the necessary facilities. A very important part of the project activities is to inform the society about actions to be taken in the emergency situations on the beaches. The project involves six partners - all representing the most popular beach resorts in the Southern part of the Baltic coastline - Jurmala, Saulkrasti, Liepaja, Palanga, Klaipeda and Neringa. Of no less importance is the establishment of the cooperation network for lifeguards.

The Blue Flag concept is the highest standard for beaches and marinas introduced in 1985. 25 countries participate in the Blue Flag campaign, including Lithuania and Latvia. 4 beaches in each country have been awarded this flag, the Smiltyne beach in Klaipeda among them. The Blue Flag campaign is based on 27 different strict environment and water standards criteria - safety on the beach provision, as well. Qualified bay watchers should be on duty during bathing season, they must be supported by respective life saving equipment and facilities. The society should be educated on safety aspects and know how to act in emergency.

Currently in Europe there are 3 schools for lifeguards - in Italy, Germany and Belgium, preparing also bay watchers. There also is an International Life Saving Federation in Germany, with its main task to reduce injury and death in, on and around the water. Relevant functions in Lithuania are fulfilled by the Lithuanian Water Rescue Association.

While developing the project, partners cooperated with the German and Italian colleagues, they had arranged study visits and seminarswhich were a valuable introduction to the serious work in INTERREG IIIA program.

June, July and August were the first months of "Bay Watch" project cooperation. All partner towns will purchase modern saving equipment - mobile bay watching centers, saving boats, trailers for transportation of boats, water moto cycles, etc. The total budget of the project is 888 655 Eur.