City beaches continue to grapple with a shortage of lifeguards  — and now that shortage has extended to its leadership, according to a report.

On Rockaway Beach alone, nearly a dozen people have drowned since 2020. Most recently, a surfer died while no lifeguards were on duty. 

Katie Honan, a reporter with The City, took a closer look at the problem. She found the shortage leaves most of the 11 miles of the beach without supervisors. 

Lifeguard leadership is in charge of dispatching lifeguards, scheduling, and overseeing rescue operations and training. 

Over the past three summers, the city's Department of Parks and Recreation has faced shortages. This summer, it is employing some 750 lifeguards when the department aimed to have closer to 1,500 lifeguards watching over city beaches and pools, according to The City.