The lack of coast guards, in addition to the unfulfilled legal obligation, makes the beaches of the coastal city of Vlora unsafe for vacationers, who are expected to be even more numerous this year. Along the entire coastline, empty lookout towers are a common phenomenon.

However, their absence is often not attributed to the lack of will on the part of the subjects, but also to the lack of interest in employment in this sector.

Leneda Halilaj, certified trainer for coast guards, emphasizes that every year more and more beach station owners can train themselves in the absence of employees.

“There is a lot of shortage of people who want to be a beach watcher and the owners are forced to either do it themselves or put in a person from their staff, there are not many interested young people”, said Halilaj.

But the obligation to deploy coast guards is not fulfilled even by the city municipality in public spaces. In the last 7 years, public beaches have been entrusted to lifeguards employed by private parties. The lack of lifeguards on the beaches makes them a little safe for vacationers, especially children and the elderly.

“In fact, we have noticed that the people guarding the beaches are missing, it is a problem, so far we have not seen any danger in the sea, but despite this they are necessary to prevent any possible danger”, said a tourist.

Along the entire coastline, more than 400 beach stations have been licensed, where more than half of them lack coast guards even though we have entered the high season.