{"id":15176,"date":"2025-05-28T14:54:52","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T18:54:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/?p=15176"},"modified":"2025-05-28T14:54:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T18:54:52","slug":"no-lifeguards-currently-stationed-at-assateague-national-seashore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/no-lifeguards-currently-stationed-at-assateague-national-seashore\/","title":{"rendered":"NO LIFEGUARDS CURRENTLY STATIONED AT ASSATEAGUE NATIONAL SEASHORE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Assateague Island, Md. &#8212;<\/strong> As of this week, there are no lifeguards assigned to the national parks on either the Maryland or Virginia side of Assateague Island, creating a notable gap in beach safety just as the summer season begins. National Park Service officials say they are working to resolve the issue but have not provided a timeline for when lifeguards will return.<br>At the Maryland entrance to the Assateague National Seashore, beachgoers are now greeted by a warning sign: <em>No Lifeguard on Duty.<\/em> The announcement has already begun to shift visitor behavior, with some families opting to spend time in the adjacent state park, where lifeguards remain on duty.<br>Officials have not released a cause for the staffing issue.  While some visitors say they are willing to monitor their children closely on unguarded beaches, others are choosing caution. The gap in coverage has also left returning seasonal staff uncertain. One former national park lifeguard, who had planned to return this year, said he\u2019s now unsure whether he\u2019ll be called back at all. Maryland\u2019s state park lifeguards are currently able to respond to emergencies on the national side when needed, but there is no such backup option for the Virginia portion of the island, which falls entirely under national park jurisdiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"716\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/assateague-beach-no-lifegard.jpg?resize=716%2C403&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/assateague-beach-no-lifegard.jpg?w=716&amp;ssl=1 716w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/assateague-beach-no-lifegard.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Assateague Island, Md. &#8212; As of this week, there are no lifeguards assigned to the national parks on either the Maryland or Virginia side of Assateague Island, creating a notable gap in beach safety just as the summer season begins. National Park Service officials say they are working to resolve the issue but have not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/assateague-beach-no-lifegard.jpg?fit=716%2C403&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-3WM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16915,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/young-swimmer-dies-after-distress-at-assateague-island-national-seashore\/","url_meta":{"origin":15176,"position":0},"title":"YOUNG SWIMMER DIES AFTER DISTRESS AT ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE","author":"admin","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"BERLIN, Md. \u2014 An 18-year-old male swimmer tragically died Thursday afternoon after being pulled unconscious from the water near the southern end of the Chincoteague Beach parking lot at Assateague Island National Seashore, officials reported. The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m., when lifeguards were alerted that two swimmers were struggling\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Assateach-beach-.jpg?fit=1053%2C604&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Assateach-beach-.jpg?fit=1053%2C604&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Assateach-beach-.jpg?fit=1053%2C604&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Assateach-beach-.jpg?fit=1053%2C604&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Assateach-beach-.jpg?fit=1053%2C604&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15601,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/budget-concerns-threaten-lifeguard-coverage-at-assateague-beach\/","url_meta":{"origin":15176,"position":1},"title":"Budget Concerns Threaten Lifeguard Coverage at Assateague Beach","author":"admin","date":"June 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. \u2014 Assateague Island could lose lifeguard coverage this summer due to possible budget cuts, raising safety concerns for beachgoers. Recent data shows emergency responders answered dozens of calls on the island last year, many involving water rescues. Several incidents happened when no lifeguards were on duty, including near-drownings\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/assateague-beach-.jpg?fit=986%2C449&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/assateague-beach-.jpg?fit=986%2C449&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/assateague-beach-.jpg?fit=986%2C449&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/assateague-beach-.jpg?fit=986%2C449&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17428,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/assateague-island-implements-closures-ahead-of-hurricane-erin\/","url_meta":{"origin":15176,"position":2},"title":"Assateague Island Implements Closures Ahead of Hurricane Erin","author":"admin","date":"August 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"ASSATEAGUE ISLAND \u2014 In anticipation of Hurricane Erin\u2019s approach, the National Park Service has enacted multiple closures on Assateague Island to ensure public safety amid flooding, beach erosion, and hazardous conditions. Effective immediately, the Oversand Vehicle Areas in both Maryland and Virginia sections of the island are closed until further\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/assateague-island-seashore-beach.jpg?fit=1000%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/assateague-island-seashore-beach.jpg?fit=1000%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/assateague-island-seashore-beach.jpg?fit=1000%2C669&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/assateague-island-seashore-beach.jpg?fit=1000%2C669&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19237,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/toms-cove-visitor-center-permanently-closed\/","url_meta":{"origin":15176,"position":3},"title":"Tom\u2019s Cove Visitor Center Permanently Closed","author":"admin","date":"November 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Chincoteague, Va. \u2013 According to a post on the Assateague Island National Seashore Facebook page, the Tom\u2019s Cove Visitor Center in the Virginia unit has closed permanently as of November 16. The facility, a decades-long hub for interpretive programs, education, and lifeguard operations, will face demolition in early January 2026.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Toms-Cove-Visitor-Center.jpg?fit=836%2C594&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Toms-Cove-Visitor-Center.jpg?fit=836%2C594&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Toms-Cove-Visitor-Center.jpg?fit=836%2C594&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Toms-Cove-Visitor-Center.jpg?fit=836%2C594&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15075,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/summer-safety-in-effect-as-beach-patrols-resume-across-delmarva-coastline\/","url_meta":{"origin":15176,"position":4},"title":"Summer Safety in Effect as Beach Patrols Resume Across Delmarva Coastline","author":"admin","date":"May 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Delmarva -- Lifeguards across the Delmarva Peninsula officially began their summer watch over the holiday weekend, with beach patrols now active from Ocean City to Rehoboth and beyond. In Ocean City, Md., the Beach Patrol launched its 2025 season on Saturday, with Surf Rescue Technicians staffing the coastline daily from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Rehobo.jpg?fit=1200%2C568&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Rehobo.jpg?fit=1200%2C568&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Rehobo.jpg?fit=1200%2C568&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Rehobo.jpg?fit=1200%2C568&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Rehobo.jpg?fit=1200%2C568&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15933,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/assateague-island-reminds-visitors-to-follow-leave-no-trace-principles-to-protect-natural-beauty\/","url_meta":{"origin":15176,"position":5},"title":"Assateague Island Reminds Visitors to Follow Leave No Trace Principles to Protect Natural Beauty","author":"admin","date":"June 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Assateague Island \u2014 Assateague Island is a treasured natural refuge, famous for its wild horses, pristine beaches, and fragile ecosystems. As summer visitors flock to the island, officials are reminding everyone of the importance of protecting this unique environment by following the Leave No Trace principles. These guidelines encourage visitors\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/wild-horse-on-the-beach-2025-03-10-06-38-53-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C731&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/wild-horse-on-the-beach-2025-03-10-06-38-53-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C731&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/wild-horse-on-the-beach-2025-03-10-06-38-53-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C731&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/wild-horse-on-the-beach-2025-03-10-06-38-53-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C731&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/wild-horse-on-the-beach-2025-03-10-06-38-53-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C731&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15176"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15180,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15176\/revisions\/15180"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}