§ 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 or a personal watercraft as defined in subdivision thirty of section two of the navigation law and in compliance with the regulations of the commissioner. A surfboat shall be 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.