Lifeguards to return to Assateague

By Linda Cicoira

Accomack Supervisors unanimously voted Thursday night to manage lifeguard operations on Virginia’s portion of Assateague Beach for the rest of the summer, thereby restoring the service for residents and visitors.

The action means the County will join with the National Park Service and the town of Chincoteague to pay for the lifesaving efforts. The parks service has offered to fund at least $90,000 of the $117,035 contract with Coast Event Medical Management, a company from Virginia Beach that was selected by the county because it can provide lifeguards by July 14.

The county and the town will each pay 50 percent of the remaining $27,034 that is needed. Accomack County’s Department of Public Safety will oversee the program. Proposals for the lifeguard services were obtained utilizing the county’s emergency procurement authority. Next year, the parks service has promised to take back managing lifesaving measures.

    Lifeguards will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week through Aug.17 and on weekends after that, through Sept.1. The schedule is based on what was previously provided by the park service.