James Gartland, San Diego's lifeguard chief since 2018, is no longer a city employee. Officials have not said why.

City spokesperson Nicole Darling confirmed Gartland's departure, as first reported by NBC 7. Darling said the city cannot comment on personnel matters. The San Diego City Attorney's Office and the San Diego County District Attorney's Office both declined to comment to NBC 7 on the departure.

Gartland spent three decades with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Lifeguard Division, which patrols the city's 17 miles of coastline. His departure leaves the division under interim leadership during one of the busiest stretches of the year for La Jolla's beaches.

Deputy Chief Dan Eddy stepped in as interim lifeguard chief on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Fire Chief Robert Logan announced the change in a letter to all San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel that day, stating the division's structure and operations would remain in place. Eddy already oversees all emergency and special operations for San Diego Fire-Rescue.

Gartland's son, West, spoke to NBC 7 after conferring with his father.

"For the family this is a shocking and confusing time," West Gartland said.

He said he hopes to explain the situation more fully in time.

The leadership change lands the same week Hurricane Rachel is pushing dangerous surf toward San Diego County. The National Weather Service predicted the swell would peak Wednesday through Friday, with surf up to five feet and sets reaching six feet on south- and southwest-facing beaches, CBS 8 reported. The storm is not expected to make landfall.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Marine Safety Lt. Charlie Knight told CBS 8 the department is upstaffing and placing additional lifeguards on beaches for the conditions.

The city has not announced a timeline for naming a permanent lifeguard chief.