1. Flags

HOTEL POLICY MANUAL DIVISION: Recreation TITLE: SIGNAGE & REGULATIONS No: 1 – Flags / Beach Supervision CROSS REF. (Policy #): PREPARED BY: Alexander Ivanov—Health Club & Recreation Assistant Manager APPROVED BY: Adrian Rudin General Manager DISTRIBUTED TO: General Manager, Resident Manager, EAM-Rooms, and all Health Club Staff It is a policy of Shangri-La’s Qaryat Al Beri Resort & Spa for Beach Lifeguards to comply with the following procedure. PURPOSE: To know the International meaning of the beach flags and thus to inform guests when they look at them. DESCRIPTION: We use different flags posted on the beach and flying from the lifeguard towers to represent ocean hazards and surf conditions, and to designate appropriate and safe areas for swimming, surfing, and other recreational activities. Advisement flags are designed to raise awareness about the hazards the ocean presents on a specific day. It is important to remember, however, that the ocean can be hazardous on any given day and must never be assumed completely safe. Ocean conditions are unpredictable and can go from mild to extreme in a short period of time. Always check with the lifeguard on duty if you are unsure of the ocean conditions.

Green Flags denote areas that swimming are supervised and are safe to swim in. The lifeguard chair is located in the middle of the swimming area. Lifeguards are the first points of contact in an emergency. Lifeguards are trained in CPR, life support for professional rescuers, and life saving techniques. The flag system is an additional method of communication with the public for maintaining water safety.

Yellow flags denote that swimming is allowed but with caution. Swimmers need to adapt their behavior accordingly.

Red flags denote that the swimming area is temporarily closed and people 1/5

Flags / Beach Supervision

must not go in the water at all. The lifeguard supervisor or Health Club management will determine when it is safe to go in the water and will post the appropriate flags. Reasons for red flags can be weather conditions such as lightening, environmental hazards such as excessive jellyfish, poor visibility or weather conditions, or any other unsafe condition.

Red and Yellow Flags - The area is protected by lifeguards. These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront that is most closely supervised or patrolled by qualified lifeguards, and where swimming and/or body surfing is permitted. These flags may be used singly to indicate that swimming is permitted in front of the area where the flag is flown and that the area is under the supervision of a qualified person

Black And White Flags These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront that is used by those with surfboards and other non-powered watercraft.

Purple – Marine pests, such as jellyfish, stingrays, sea snakes or other marine life which can cause minor injuries are present in the water. This flag is not intended to indicate the presence of sharks. In this latter case the red flag or double red flag may be hoisted.

Orange windsock – This cone shaped device is used to indicate the direction of offshore winds and to show that it is unsafe for inflatable objects to be used in the water.

Yellow flag with central black ball – Surfboards and other non-powered watercraft are prohibited. 2/5

Flags / Beach Supervision

Signs denoting the flag color key are posted strategically in main shoreline public beach access areas. To ensure water users and members of the public are aware of the meaning of flags, beach users must be informed through signs, brochures, or similar means. The text may be fixed to the flagpole, or indicated on an information board or facility at the entrance to an aquatic location. The text must be as brief as possible and give the prime meaning of the flag when hoisted. Consideration must be given to the erection of information boards/notices, particularly at the entry points to aquatic locations. The information contained must included detail of the meaning of flags, locations and times of operation. This information may also be included in ‘tourist’ leaflets and publicity material. Design specifications – All flags are 750mm by 1000 mm and may be made of polyester or other suitable material.

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Flags / Beach Supervision

Flag Meaning Pantone (PMS) Shape Yellow Medium hazard PMS – 123 Rectangle Red High hazard PMS – 186 Rectangle Red over Red Water closed to public use PMS – 186 Rectangles Purple Marine pests present PMS – 266 Rectangle Red over Yellow Recommen ded swimming area with lifeguard supervision PMS – 186 PMS – 123 Rectangle with equal, parallel halves. 4/5

Flags / Beach Supervision

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