17 rescues reported over the Gandhi Jayanti weekend; 14 saved at Calangute beach

Panaji, October 2023: With tourists making a beeline to Goa over the long October 2nd weekend, Drishti Marine lifesavers saved 17 people from drowning off the coastline during the busy period, with 14 people rescued at the popular Calangute beach alone. 

Two triple rescues and two double rescues were conducted at Calangute beach during the busy extended weekend by Drishti Marine lifesavers Ashwin, Leslie, Nakul, Hari and Hrutuj. 

Three men aged between 24 to 26 years from Bengaluru were caught in a dire situation after they lost their balance while swimming off Calangute beach due to the harsh sea conditions, before they were rescued by lifesavers using surfboards and rescue tubes. Three teenagers from Madhya Pradesh, who were caught in a rip current while swimming, were also rescued by lifesavers at Calangute beach. 

The two double rescues off Calangute Beach involved a couple in their mid-20s from the national capital region (NCR) and two teenagers. In both cases, the tourists were caught in a rip current, before they were rescued by lifesavers. 

Four other individuals were also rescued from drowning at Calangute beach in separate incidents. The rescued persons who were struggling in the water and were in the danger of drowning hailed from West Bengal, Bihar and two from Maharashtra. 

Two Russians aged 25 and 26 years were also rescued off Arambol beach during the extended weekend, after they were caught in a rip current. Drishti Marine lifesaver, Dattaram, launched a jetski and reached the victims in distress before bringing them safely to the shore. 

In another incident at Arambol beach, a 40-year-old tourist from Belgaum found himself in distress while swimming in the sea, before Drishti Marine lifesavers Navnath, Sandeep, Anna and Dattaram swiftly deployed a jetski and a surfboard to bring the individual back to shore. The rescued person experienced difficulty in breathing upon being brought to shore, but was stabilised with the help of oxygen administered by lifesavers.

####

Drishti Marine lifesavers and volunteers to assist devotees with Ganesh Chaturthi idol immersion

'The state’s lifesaving agency to ensure smooth handling of Ganesh idol immersion at 53 locations, including 45 beaches'

Panaji, September 2023: Drishti Marine’s lifesavers along with a hand-picked team of volunteers, will aid the state administration in ensuring public safety during immersion of Ganesh idols along 45 beaches in the state, the Goa-based lifesaving agency has said.

Drishti Marine will be deploying its teams of lifesavers and volunteers at 53 locations, including 45 coastal beaches and eight other immersion sites until the late hours of the night.

“At the designated beaches, teams of lifesavers will assist people and ensure they are safe and assist them to return to shore safely after the immersion process, as the beaches are not yet open for sea access yet. In some cases, where the sea conditions are rough, the lifesavers will offer to carry the idol into the deeper sections of the water for immersion after the ceremonial puja,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO, Drishti Marine.

Drishti Marine requests people to carry out immersion of their Ganesh idols at the main entry point on beaches where the lifesaving teams will be posted. The agency has advised adult members of Ganesh immersion groups to closely watch over children on the beach, especially after nightfall, regardless of the water's apparent shallowness. It has also cautioned both locals and tourists, particularly those under the influence of alcohol, against entering the water. 

The team has made arrangements for an additional back-up lifesaver team and vehicles on stand-by in case of any emergency. Beaches where Drishti Marine’s lifesavers and volunteers will be posted are:

North Goa: Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Sinquerim, Vagator, Anjuna, Arambol, Miramar, Siridao, Morjim, Mandrem, Vainguinim, Dona Paula, Ashwem, Querim, Bambolim, Coco beach and Ashwem.

South Goa: Baina, Bogmalo, Velsao, Arossim, Hollant, Majorda, Utorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Sernabatim, Benaulim (near Taj Exotica), Varca, Zalor, Cavelossim, Mobor, Betul, Cananguinim, Agonda, Cabo De Rama, Khola, Palolem, Patnem, Rajbagh, Colomb, Galgibagh, Talpona and Polem.

In addition to the 45 beaches, lifesavers will also be deployed at Mapusa Taar, Vaddem lake, Parra Verla pond, Morjim lake, Aldona pond, Cumbarjua ferry point, Panaji ferry point and Betim ferry points.

####

One Russian teenager and seven others rescued by lifesavers over the weekend

Panaji, Sept 2023:  A teenage Russian girl was rescued over the weekend from drowning off the coast of Keri in North Goa after she was caught in a rough current, even as seven Indian nationals were rescued at Baga, Calangute and Patnem beach during the same period.

The 14-year-old Russian had ventured into the sea off Keri, despite being cautioned by lifesavers on duty. Once in the rough waters, she found herself in a difficult situation and had to be rescued by lifesaver Girish Talkar who rushed to save her with the help of a rescue tube. 

Two young couples from Mumbai, waded into the waters off Baga beach, before a rapid current pulled the two women in the group into the deeper parts of the sea. Drishti Marine lifesavers on duty, Dilkhush, Suryakant and Pankaj, rushed to their aid with a rescue tube and surfboard. One of the rescued individuals suffered breathing issues and she was immediately transferred to the Candolim Health Centre for medical attention.

At Calangute beach, two nineteen-year-olds from a group of five young men from Karnataka were suddenly overcome by waves and swept into the deeper sections, while three others swam to land. 

Hari, Sonu, Hrutuj, Vithal and Nilesh, Drishti Marine lifesavers on duty, acted decisively, utilising surfboards and rescue tubes and safely returned the duo to shore. 

Drishti Marine lifesavers were also involved in two separate rescue operations at Calangute Beach. One involved an 19-year-old male from Bihar who was swept away by strong currents while the other comprised of a resume of a 19-year-old man from Karnataka, who was engulfed by an enormous wave and was unable to swim back to shore. 

Drishti Marine lifesavers Shubham, Ajay and Ashwin used a rescue tube and surfboards to safely bring both the teenaged individuals to shore. 

In another incident, a 32-year-old woman from Karnataka found herself in a precarious situation after being knocked over by a strong wave in shallow waters off Patnem beach in South Goa. Lifesavers Sachin and Vinesh acted swiftly, employing a rescue tube to bring the woman back to safety on the shore.

###

450 Drishti Marine lifesavers and 50 forest officials trained in tackling marine wildlife strandings

Panaji, September 2023 - Nearly 450 Drishti Marine lifesavers and around 50 forest department officials have undergone intensive training in handling a variety of marine strandings, including those involving dolphins, turtles, snakes and wild bird species on Goa’s beaches, including honing of their first reaction skills when faced with stranded species.

Lifesavers on beaches are the designated first responders to any emergency involving humans as well as other species in distress along beach stretches.

The training program kicked off in the presence of Deputy Conservator of Forests of North Goa, Anand Jadhav at Sinquerim beach and Deputy Conservator of Forests of South Goa, Aniket Gaonkar at Benaulim beach, conducted by resource persons from the NGOs Terra Conscious and Chameleon Wildlife Rescue Organisation with the objective of enhancing the skills and capacity of forest officials and lifesavers in managing strandings of wild species along the coastline and ensuring their swift and effective rescue. Reefwatch Marine Conservation, a specialist NGO, was also part of the training sessions during the week.

“Our capacity-building efforts are crucial in addressing the unique challenges of marine conservation. This initiative is our way of committing to improving our expertise in marine life management and conservation. We look forward to the new advances or new trends that are there in the conservation of marine species,” said Deputy Conservator of Forests Anand Jadhav, who represented the Forest Department which led the training programme initiative.

The initiative comes under the framework of the Annual Lifesaver Revalidation program. The joint initiative aims to provide participants with the information and skills needed to handle various kinds of marine creatures that wash ashore, such as dolphins, turtles, snakes and birds.

“The reason why this training is necessary is because injured wild species have very specialised needs and there are specific protocols that are globally accepted that have to be followed in accordance with the Wildlife Protection Act of India. It is important that authorised responders, which in case of Goa, are lifesavers and forest guards, are trained in these first response protocols,” said Puja Mitra from Terra Conscious.

Drishti Marine's extensive presence across the coastal belt in Goa positions the organisation as a key player in responding promptly to wild life strandings along beaches.

“We appreciate the ongoing assistance of the Forest Department and NGOs in Goa, as well as other relevant organisations. Our combined efforts are critical in ensuring that marine wildlife stranded on beaches receive the best possible care before being released back into their natural environment. This training ensures that our lifesavers are constantly updated and their skills are improved,” explains Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine.

A Drishti Marine lifesaving instructor, Amit Shinde, added, “We learned four distinct handover codes that guide our actions, involving photo documentation, location sharing with the Marine Stranding Group, and appropriate responses, including veterinary care or post-mortem procedures. This training empowers us to protect these creatures and educate the public effectively.”

Fishing boat capsized off Baina; all eight sailors saved

Incident Report:

Panaji, September 2023: Eight sailors were saved after a fishing boat capsized just off Baina beach in South Goa, while a male Russian tourist was also rescued off Morjim beach over the weekend.

At Baina beach, seven sailors swam to the shore after their fishing boat capsized around 70 mts from the shore. Drishti Marine lifesaver Krishna rushed to the spot where the accident occurred and saved one sailor who was drowning with the help of a rescue tube. All eight sailors went through a preliminary medical check to examine their vitals after they reached the shore.

Off Morjim beach, a 38-year-old tourist from Russia was caught in a rip current while swimming and needed to be rescued by Vijay, a Drishti Marine lifesaver, with the help of a surfboard.

At Calangute beach, two young tourists ventured into the water as part of a larger group, but they lost their balance and started to drown. Drishti Marine lifesavers, Hari and Sonu, intervened quickly, utilising both a rescue tube and a surfboard to aid the duo to shore.  

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old Karnataka resident stepped into sea off Calangute beach, in an inebriated condition and was knocked over by a rough wave. He was rescued by lifesaver Vikas using a rescue tube and a surfboard.

An on-duty Drishti Marine lifesaver also stumbled upon an injured unidentified man, aged between 20-25 years who was lying behind bushes around 100 mts from the Calangute shoreline.The victim was bleeding from the head and there were signs of internal bleeding too. The police were promptly notified. Upon their arrival, an ambulance was summoned and the victim was swiftly transported to the nearest hospital for urgent medical attention.


###

Goa lifesavers offer prayers on Narali Poornima, a festival which marks resumption of fishing activity

Panaji, August 2023: Drishti Marine's lifesavers celebrated the auspicious day of Narali Poornima by offering coconuts and flowers to the sea off various beaches in North Goa.

This traditional festival is mostly observed by members of the fishing communities of the western coastal regions of India, including Goa, as a mark of devotion to the sea. Drishti Marine's lifesavers at Miramar, Calangute and other beaches in North Goa took a momentary pause from their day chores to celebrate the festival by praying to the God of the Sea for protection. The festival traditionally heralds the start of the fishing season in Goa.

“This day is especially significant for our lifesavers, who have a deep relationship with the sea. They risk their lives every day to keep us safe from drowning,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine.

Drishti Marine’s lifesavers are first responders to all emergency situations that occur along Goa’s coast.

###

Goa Commission for Child Protection pats lifesavers’ backs for rescuing 91 children

Panaji, August 2023 - With 91 children rescued off Goa’s beaches by Drishti Marine’s lifesavers over the last two years, the Goa State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has formally appreciated the agency’s lifesavers for their “incredible courage” and “heroic actions”.

The appreciation from the Commission comes days after two French children were rescued off Mandrem beach by lifesavers who were on duty.

“Lifeguards diligently dedicate not only their time but lives to enabling a safe environment for all of us. They instruct and keep a constant watch on our children to prevent injury and rescue them from life-threatening accidents,” GSCPCR chairperson Peter Borges said in a letter addressed to Drishti Marine Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Navin Awasthi.

Borges also described the lifesavers as “unsung heroes” who are “saddled with the responsibility of making sure that beaches are safe for children and ensuring that they too are guarded while they enjoy a swim”.

Apart from the 91 rescues, which also involved administering first-aid to the rescued children, Drishti Marine lifesavers also traced 264 missing children along Goa’s beaches over three years and reunited them with their parents.

Responding to the Commission’s appreciation letter, Drishti Marine CEO Navin Awasthi said: “We thank the GSCPCR for recognising our lifesavers' tireless efforts to keep everyone, including children, safe on Goa's beaches. Such acknowledgement gives us the strength to strive even more”.

Drishti Marine’s lifesavers are first responders to all emergency situations on the beaches of Goa.

####

Two minor children from France rescued at Mandrem beach

Panaji, August 2023: Two children of French origin were rescued by Drishti Marine’s lifesavers off Mandrem beach, after they got trapped in a rip tide and were unable to swim back to shore.

The two boys aged 13 and 16 years were rescued by lifesavers, Siddhesh, Rohit, Hiran and Nagesh, who were on duty. They rushed to their aid and brought them back to shore using a rescue tube, surfboard and a jetski. Their vitals were found to be stable after examination. The incident occured at a time when swimming off Goa’s beaches is off-limits due to the ongoing monsoons.

“Goa’s beaches remain closed due to the ongoing monsoon season as the sea conditions continue to be rough and unpredictable. In this light, it is necessary to constantly monitor children while on the beach and not allow them to venture into the sea, no matter how shallow the water may appear,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine.

The official further said that parents or guardians should alert the nearest lifesaver in case of an emergency and pay close attention to safety announcements made by patrolling lifesavers.

Over the last two years, 91 minors have been rescued by Drishti Marine’s lifesavers, with most rescues reported at Baga beach (19). While Calangute beach and Morjim beach reported 17 and 13 rescues respectively, eight minors were rescued off Vagator beach, six off Morjim, four each off Candolim and Palolem beaches in the same period. 11 minors had to be administered first-aid after they were rescued by lifesavers.

Beaches of Goa remain off-limits for swimming for the monsoon season or until further notice.

###

Lifesavers Undergo Refresher Training in Emergency Response, Soft Skills

~ Lifesavers are put through endurance tests and emergency response drills

~ Soft-skill training in dealing with tourists also part of course module

Panaji, July 2023: During the monsoon season when swimming is prohibited, the state's 450-strong force of lifesavers is actively patrolling the beaches. Additionally, they are undergoing a comprehensive two and a half month-long refresher and revalidation course. This training reinforces their emergency lifesaving responses, physical drills, and enhances their soft communication skills.

The mandatory refresher program organised by Drishti Marine, which culminates on September 1, is being held in both districts, will focus on emergency response services and also includes a special module on effective communication and soft-skills in an effort to engage in a positive manner with visitors, especially tourists.

"The life-saving force at Drishti Marine undergoes annual refresher and revalidation training to ensure they are up-to-date vis a vis latest professional skills and techniques. These skills include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid, beach operations, jet ski operation, use of rescue equipment and various rescue techniques. In addition, lifesavers are also trained in leadership and soft skills,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO, Drishti Marine.

Lifesavers are required to meet stringent fitness criteria, including the ability to swim 400 meters within 11 minutes. Additionally, significant importance is given to first-aid and CPR training, as it demands swift and efficient response in providing assistance to a victim within a matter of minutes.

The refresher program incorporates comprehensive sessions that delve into the intricacies of CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage and the proper handling of oxygen cylinders, which are reinforced through live demonstrations.

“Our lifesavers are the first responders on the beach and they are equipped with the necessary tools and training to provide immediate first-aid to victims until emergency services arrive. Lifeguards also undergo training on how to respond to marine wildlife strandings,” Awasthi added.

Lifesavers undergo drills to enhance their proficiency in utilising the emergency response kits at their disposal during the programme.

“The intensive program comprises endurance swim workouts, corrective measures for strokes, jumps from heights of three and five meters, underwater swimming and foundational skills with rescue tubes and boards. Classroom sessions cover lessons on surf awareness, beach conditions, rip currents, safety signs, flag systems, and marine hazards,” according to Santano Fernandes, an instructor with Drishti Marine.

The training program also includes a session on effective communication and soft skills. This is to

help lifesavers engage with beach visitors, including tourists, in a positive and efficient manner.

“Effective communication is of the utmost importance. Lifesavers can enhance their interactions by employing suitable body language, displaying politeness and respect towards beach visitors, professionally addressing issues and adapting their speech and behavior to suit the situation. Maintaining emotional control enables lifesavers to navigate challenging situations that may arise with tourists and other beachgoers,” Fernandes also said.

Participation in annual training programs is obligatory for lifesavers to uphold their certification and remain eligible for beach duty.

Drishti Marine adheres to the training curriculum endorsed by the Special Rescue Training Academy (SRTA) to educate its lifesavers. The SRTA has obtained certification from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) as a recognised nationwide training partner, specialising in curating professional courses for lifesavers.

###

317 lives rescued along Goa’s coast, water bodies since January 2023

~ 107 missing children cases so far this year. All were reunited with their families. 

~ Calangute witnessed the highest number of rescue incidents this year with 73 cases.

~ The month of January witnessed 43, the highest number of rescues. 

~ Over 6500 lives have been saved since Drishti Marine commenced operations in Goa in 2008. 

Panaji, July 2023– The first six months of 2023 had Drishti Marine’s lifesavers on their toes with one reported incident on an average every day, either involving a life-rescue or locating a missing child lost on Goa's beaches or water bodies. 

From January to June 2023, 317 individuals were rescued, including 107 missing children who were also traced by Drishti Marine's 466 strong lifesaving force posted on 42 beaches and two designated water bodies in the coastal state. 

The rescues included water-based rescues, those assisted to safety and first aid. Several of the water-based rescues were double and triple rescues. 

The month of January witnessed the highest rescues, 43, followed by 35 in February and 29 in April this year. Of the total number of incidents involving individuals 46 were locals, 262 hailed from other Indian states, while 26 were foreigners, during this period, three individuals were also reported drowned. 

A total of 114 individuals between the ages of 12 and below were involved in incidents. 111 individuals were from the age group of 19 to 25 years, while 101 were in the age group of 35 to 45 years.

Calangute beach witnessed the highest number of incidents in the first half of 2023 with 73 incidents reported so far, followed by 52 in Baga, 21 in Morjim, while Vagator accounted for 18, Candolim accounted for 15 and Anjuna reported 13 incidents. Meanwhile, Palolem and Colva beaches reported 31 and 25 incidents, respectively. Drishti Marine’s lifesavers are the first responders to any medical emergencies that may arise on the coast. 

From January to June this year, there were 107 instances of missing children, which typically involve cases where minor children wander off away from their families, forcing them to reach out to the nearest lifesavers for assistance. Drishti Marine's alert team has successfully closed all reported missing child cases, reuniting the children with their parents. 

The busy month of May recorded 41, the highest number of such incidents involving missing children. Calangute beach which regularly receives the largest number of tourist footfalls had the most missing children incidents at 46 cases, followed by Baga with 29 and Colva with 18. 

Drishti began operations in Goa in 2008. A total of 200 drowning cases occurred in 2007, the previous year, which prompted the state government to take immediate measures and put together an efficient system to tackle such tragic incidents. Following Drishti Marine's involvement in life-safety efforts on Goan beaches and water bodies, official records show a 99 percent reduction in deaths due to drowning in the designated public areas, significantly improving the quality and safety of the tourist experience along Goa's coastline. Drishti Marine's lifesavers have saved over 6,500  lives since 2008, due to their swift, trained intervention and rescue operations.