By GENEA NOEL

Freeport News Reporter

After four tragic drowning accidents in Bahamian waters, police have now issued a water safety warning for all residents about potential sinkholes that could be fatal.

Assistant Superintendent Walter Evans advised beach-goers and divers to pay close attention to their surroundings while in the water and to keep a watchful eye on children, especially those who cannot swim.

He said the summer months are when people tend to flock to the beaches and are not really concerned about what is happening under water.

"We have recently seen a number of freak accidents and residents now have to consider what is going on above and below the waters," said Evans, who explained that not every sinkhole or blue hole has been discovered in The Bahamas and that residents and tourist alike should be extremely careful.

Environment Minister Dr. Earl Deveaux had reportedly dispatched divers to investigate the sea for possible sinkholes and drops along the shoreline.

Partnering with the Baham-as Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Com-mission, the group will mark the areas found with low drops and sink-holes for public information in all islands with signs saying 'swimmers beware' or 'unstable ground.'

Environmental Consultant, Prescott Smith, in a presentation to the Bahamas Conservation Association (BCA) on marine and coastal systems in the Caribbean, said Bahamians need to pay more keen attention to areas where they swim and get to know the area's landscape and makeup better. He said that anytime a person enters into the water, they are taking a big risk.

"There is always a hint of danger when you step into the ocean. The only way around that is to have proper vigilance where people will be monitored," said Smith.

"Sinkholes can occur both in the sea or on land. They are a feature of the geology of The Bahamas."

Smith suggested that the only way that the public can be informed of where sinkholes may exist underwater is to do a mapping of the bedding of the ocean, which he says may become inaccurate due to changes in the weather pattern overnight.

He added that the topography of the area must be examined before using the beach and safety must be held as a number one priority. However, he noted that because of the unusual nature of the bed, a mapping exercise would constantly need to be updated.

Smith explained that the numerous caves and sinkholes in The Bahamas occasionally reach depths of 300 feet, representing the lowest sea level from those times.

He added that they are more common in shallow waters on the banks as marine or ocean blue holes and their perimeters make for interesting diving explorations, but can be fatal if a swimmer does not know the area or what to expect. These precautions come just weeks after the tragic drowning of Corporal 2543 Desmond Burrows during a firearm training course on Goodman's Bay Beach in New Providence where it is reported that 10 officers fell into a sinkhole on the beach. Burrows, however, was the only officer who died as a result of the tragic accident.

Last week, Grand Bahama residents, Faye Major, her daughter Deidre and her sister-in-law Renee Pinder, drowned in Dean's Blue Hole in Long Island during a family outing. Police and BASRA officials are advising the public to swim closer to shore as possible until the proper signage is in place to warn against sink and blue holes.