Blue Flag on the beach in Świnoujście for the 20th time in a row

Photo: Bartosz Turlejski

The next bathing season in Świnoujście was inaugurated by raising the Blue Flag. Deputy Mayor Roman Kucierski announced on Saturday that the beach on Uznam Island has received this prestigious distinction for the 20th time.

The Blue Flag is an international certificate awarded to bathing areas that meet the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. This year, the Blue Flag distinguishes over 4.3 thousand beaches and over 730 marinas in 51 countries around the world. In Poland, this distinction was awarded to 35 bathing areas and marinas, including 29 in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

"The beach on Uznam Island has been awarded the Blue Flag for the 20th time in a row," stressed Roman Kucierski, Deputy Mayor of Świnoujście, in a press release from the city office announcing the start of the bathing season.

"The distinction also went to the bathing area in Przytor and the Jurek Porębski Yacht Port. We are pleased that our efforts to maintain the highest standards have been recognized once again," added Kucierski.

He noted that the Blue Flag is the merit of lifeguards, security services and other people who care about the comfort and safety of beachgoers. The organizer of Świnoujście's bathing areas is the Sports and Recreation Center "Wyspiarz", which regularly monitors water quality and is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure.

The city office reported that 35 lifeguards will be working on the beaches this season. Their shifts last from 10:00 to 17:00. Bathing areas are marked with boards (on the beach) and special buoys. The safety status is indicated by flags displayed at the lifeguard stations: a white flag means that swimming is allowed; a red flag means no entry into the water; no flag means the end of the lifeguard shift.

In Świnoujście, Blue Flags are flown in three locations, in the whole of Poland – at 31 bathing areas and in four marinas. In the West Pomeranian Province, this distinction was awarded to the Baltic beaches: Międzyzdroje East, Międzywodzie, Dziwnów, Łukęcin, Pobierowo (western beach), Pustkowo, Trzęsacz, Rewal, Pogorzelica, Niechorze, Mrzeżyno, Grzybowo, Dźwirzyno, Kołobrzeg (West, East "Bałtyk", East "Kamienny Szaniec"), Sianożęty, Mielno, Łazy, Dąbki West and Darłówko West. Also marked with Blue Flags are the bathing areas in Stepnica on the Szczecin Lagoon, in Lubczyna on Lake Dąbie, in Zieleniewo on Lake Miedwie, as well as Marina Solna in Kołobrzeg and the marina in Wapnica.

Blue Flag is a certificate awarded by the Danish organization Foundation for Environmental Education. Blue Flag offices operate in dozens of countries. Beaches are assessed every year. Awarding them the distinction means that they meet the highest standards in terms of safety, accessibility, water and beach cleanliness, and environmental protection. (PAP)