Section 1341. Bathing places; safety requirements; ropes and life preservers

1. (a) It shall be the duty of every person maintaining, as
  owner or lessee,  any  bathing  establishment  of  any  kind  along  the
  seashore  of  this  state  for  the accommodation of persons for pay, to
  provide, for the safety of such bathers, two lines of sound, serviceable
  and strong manila or hemp rope, not less  than  one  inch  in  diameter,
  anchored  at  some point above high water, at the same distance apart as
  the lines of bathing houses, or space fronting on such beach occupied by
  him or them, is in width. From the two points at which  such  life-lines
  are so anchored, such life-lines shall be made to extend as far into the
  surf  as  bathing is ordinarily safe and free from danger of drowning to
  persons not expert in swimming, and at such points of safety, such lines
  shall be anchored and buoyed. From the  two  points  of  such  lines  so
  extended,  anchored  and  buoyed,  a  third rope shall be extended, of a
  similar size, connecting the two extremities, and buoyed at such  points
  as to be principally above the surface of the water, thereby inclosing a
  space  within  such lines and the beach within which bathing is believed
  to be safe. In addition thereto, there shall be sufficient  ropes  of  a
  similar  size  as  herein described, anchored from a point at high water
  mark and buoyed or anchored at a parallel line or within the outer cross
  rope, so as to have not more than a space of seventy-five feet from  one
  rope to another; and
    (b)  Every  person  maintaining  any  such bathing establishment shall
  cause to be painted and posted in some prominent place  upon  the  beach
  near  such bathing houses the following words: "Bathing beyond the lines
  dangerous", and
    (c) Such lines so placed, anchored and  buoyed,  and  such  notice  so
  posted, shall be so maintained and continued by every person maintaining
  any such establishment, during the entire season of surf bathing.
    2.  (a)  Every person maintaining any such bathing establishment shall
  also keep and provide in connection therewith, for the  facilitating  of
  the  rescue  of persons in danger of drowning, a surfboat, not less than
  sixteen feet long, on each side of which there shall  be  hanging  ropes
  arranged  so that persons in the water can easily catch hold of same, or
  be supported thereby. Such boats shall be equipped with two or more sets
  of oars and life-lines and life-belts, and at least  one  ring  buoy  or
  life  preserver,  with  quarter-inch  cotton  line,  not  less than five
  hundred feet in length, with suitable reel attached thereto. In addition
  thereto, there shall be anchored on the shore, a suitable  reel  with  a
  half-inch  cotton line not less than five hundred feet in length, with a
  life-belt attached thereto, kept in good order and proper condition,  so
  that it can readily be used by those assisting in saving life.
    (b)  At  all bathing establishments where there are equipments for two
  hundred bathers or more, said surf or life-boat shall  be  stationed  in
  the  water,  opposite the lines, manned and in readiness for use, during
  bathing hours.
    3. Every person  maintaining  any  such  bathing  establishment  shall
  employ  or  otherwise engage or provide the services of a bathing master
  or life-guard at such bathing establishment,  who  shall  be  an  expert
  swimmer,  and  who  shall  be in constant and watchful attendance during
  bathing hours.
    4. The owner of a bathing establishment shall not be  subject  to  the
  provisions  of this section when it is used, occupied or maintained by a
  lessee for  hire,  but  such  lessee  shall  be  deemed  the  keeper  or
  proprietor or person maintaining such bathing establishment.
    5. Nothing in this section shall be construed in any way to affect any
  bathing   establishments,   in   any   municipality,   or   any  bathing
  establishments or bathing beaches operated  by  a  regional  state  park

  commission, at which there is maintained at public expense a life-saving
  guard.