Safety concerns raised over absence of lifeguards at Havre des Pas bathing pool

Concerns are mounting within Jersey’s swimming community after it emerged that no dedicated lifeguard provision is included in the new operating lease for the Havre des Pas bathing pool.

The facility, which has traditionally been supervised by lifeguards during the summer season in previous years, is now operating under a new agreement between the government and First Point Lido. However, the lease does not specifically require lifeguard cover, leading to uncertainty over who holds responsibility for swimmer safety.

Both the tenant and the public landlord have indicated that lifeguarding does not fall within their contractual duties. Jersey Property Holdings, part of the Infrastructure and Environment Department, said the site should be viewed as part of a wider coastal environment rather than a controlled indoor facility, noting that other shoreline swimming areas, including the West Park marine lake, also operate without routine lifeguard cover.

First Point Lido director Jason Maindonald said the organisation conducts risk assessments for the site but is not contractually obliged to provide lifeguards. He added that while the timing of the end of government-run lifeguard provision alongside the new lease was unfortunate, responsibility for staffing safety personnel was not written into the agreement.

The change has prompted criticism from experienced swimmers and club representatives. Carole Penfold, president of Jersey Swimming Club, warned that the absence of lifeguards posed a serious risk and said preventative safety measures were essential, particularly given the popularity of the pool with the public and organised events.

Long-distance swimmer Sally Minty-Gravett also described the situation as “poor” and said the lack of supervision was worrying for such a well-used swimming location.

Under the terms of the lease, the operator is required to promote public use of the site for swimming and community activity, but there is no explicit clause addressing lifeguard provision.