Superintendent Barclay Trimble announced May 16th that Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s (Seashore) summer lifeguard operation and services will begin Saturday, May 24, 2014 and continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2014.  The three guarded Seashore beaches include Coquina Beach, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse beach, and Ocracoke Day Use Area.  The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week.

“The National Park Service is pleased to be able to provide, along with local entities, this valuable service for the safety of our Seashore visitors.  Family vacations are special times and we hope visitors will find a quiet, relaxing opportunity to enjoy the ocean and beach environment under the watchful eye of skilled and dedicated lifeguards,” stated Superintendent Trimble.

During the winter of 2013-2014, at a time when federal budget restraints forced tough decisions regarding basic park operations, cooperative efforts and partnerships led to a compromised resolution.  Following discussions between the park superintendent, Hyde County government and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, the two local entities agreed to provide stop-gap funding for this summer, which enabled the longstanding lifeguard operation for the Seashore to return to a seven day a week reality during the busy summer season.  

For park information, see http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/wateractivities.htm#Lifeguard

For additional information see: http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/ripcurrent/.