Romania beach safety regulation proposals

Following a series of drowning incidents and high numbers of lifeguard interventions on the Romanian Black Sea coast, members of the USR party in Parliament have drafted legislation to introduce stricter safety regulations and heavy fines for tourists.

Lifeguards in areas such as Eforie and Jupiter have reported over 100 interventions in a single week due to heavy waves and strong currents. The proposed bill targets individuals who ignore red flag warnings, with fines ranging from 500 to 1,500 lei. Penalties could reach 3,000 lei for parents who refuse to exit the water after lifeguard instructions or leave children unsupervised. Additional fines are proposed for crossing safety buoys.

The legislation also aims to hold beach operators accountable, requiring at least one lifeguard for every 100 meters of beach, with non-compliance resulting in fines between 10,000 and 30,000 lei. Critics have noted that beach widening projects may be contributing to the dangerous currents near the shore.

Tensions have recently escalated in Eforie Nord, where lifeguards have faced increasing aggression from tourists despite red flags being deployed due to strong winds and rip currents. In one instance, police intervention was required after a group attempted to physically assault a lifeguard who instructed them to exit the water.

These confrontations follow a fatal incident involving a 68-year-old man who ignored multiple warnings. After being rescued three times, the man entered the sea a fourth time and suffered cardio-respiratory arrest. Lifeguards have identified late August as the most dangerous period of the year due to changing sea patterns.