Regular East Hampton Town beachgoers may notice a big change this week: the closure of many lifeguard stands.
John Ryan Jr., chief lifeguard for East Hampton Town, reported that many are now closed due to lack of staff.
"We don't have the bodies to keep the 'wing stands' open," he said. "East Lake and Maidstone Bay are both shut down for the season," he said. On the ocean side, "We're down to one stand on every beach. The two stands in the middle of Montauk are shut down, between Kirk Park and South Edison."
"Frankly it's a little disappointing this time of year, and a concern going into next season," he said.
"I have a lot of respect for the kids that come back and say I want to be an instructor," after taking part in the junior lifeguard program offered by the town. "They want to give back," he said. "That's allegiance to the program that did so much for them."
As for the water conditions, "It's still Lake Atlantic out there. Beautiful though. Every morning there are whales feeding. People should come and enjoy the display."
Drew Smith, the head lifeguard for East Hampton Village, concurred about the calm waters. "In terms of safety, it was a good week," he said.
"We had only one save at Main Beach, stand three. Routine: a person was just in a bad spot," he said. There were three minor medical incidents on village beaches, but nothing that required trips to the hospital or ambulance calls. Tuesday music night and fireworks on Saturday (Mr. Smith estimated 2,500 people in attendance) went off "without a hitch."
Village beaches did have to close a few times due to shark sightings. "The sharks aren't doing anything abnormal," he said, but they've been moving with large bait balls which have been offshore. The lifeguards routinely fly a drone over the bait ball. If they see anything that's concerning, they call the police, who bring a larger, "commercial grade," drone.
They've had schools of rays a "couple hundred yards" offshore and, few and far between, thresher and spinner sharks. Neither shark species is considered a danger to humans.
Mr. Smith also reported that East End Ocean Rescue, a local nonprofit, had recently donated a Ranger U.T.V. and a Sportsman A.T.V. to the lifeguard fleet.
"These vehicles have already proven to be tremendous assets this season and will continue to play a huge part in keeping beachgoers safe," he said.
