Breaking with at least a half-century of tradition, ocean and bay beaches in Ship Bottom will be guarded until 6 p.m. daily throughout the summer season. Guarded beaches begin weekends only Memorial Day weekend until June 15, when lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labor Day.

“Public safety is the number one concern,” said Keith Stokes, borough beach patrol chief and lifeguard supervisor. “We see a lot of visitors- locals, too- after 5 p.m.”