Panaji, September 2025 – A tourist from the national capital sustained injuries at Arambol beach while swimming and had to be administered first aid by Drishti Marine lifesavers, even as in a separate incident a couple from Delhi was rescued from drowning off Candolim beach.
Arambol beach: A 29-year-old male tourist from Delhi sustained a minor cut on his leg after stepping on a piece of glass while bathing in the water off Arambol beach. After lifesaver Akshan was alerted to the injury, the tourist was transported by jeep to the lifesaver tower on the beach, where lifesaving team captain Ana Malekar and lifesaver Sadashiv Girap provided him with first aid.
Candolim beach: A couple from Delhi, a 45-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, were rescued from drowning in the wee hours of Sunday by Drishti Marine lifesavers. The incident occurred at around 6:45 am, when lifesavers Raj Singh and Vikas Salgaonkar noticed the couple in distress while swimming. Both lifesavers immediately rushed into the water with rescue tubes, while two other lifesavers, Roshan Kharade and Srinath Lonekar, joined the swift operation with the help of a rescue board and rescue tube. Both tourists were safely brought back to the shore.
Drishti Marine Lifesavers Rescue Two Men From Karnataka, Kerala, From Drowning Off Goa Coast Over the Weekend
Panaji, September 2025 -- Two male tourists from Karnataka and Kerala were rescued from drowning in two separate incidents off Baga and Velsao beaches, respectively, over the last weekend.
Baga beach: On Saturday, a 31-year-old male tourist from Karnataka was caught in a rip current. Supervisor Vinod Gaonkar and lifesaver Suryakant Paryekar entered the water with a rescue tube, assisted by Sourav Kumar on a rescue board. The drowning person was secured by the lifesaver trio and brought safely ashore. He was found to be stable and later handed over to his friends.
Velsao beach: Four friends from Kerala waded into the rough waters off the Velsao coast, despite being briefed by an on-duty lifesaver about dangerous rip currents in the area. Despite the warning, one of them, a 21-year-old man, was pulled in by a rip current and began drowning. Lifesavers Manappa and Kashappa responded swiftly with a rescue tube and brought the victim back to shore safely.
It is informed that the seas off Goa's beaches continue to be off-limits for swimming on account of the monsoon-fuelled rough weather conditions. The state's popular beaches have also been marked by cautionary red flags urging visitors not to venture into the sea and put their lives at risk. Beach visitors are also urged to follow the instructions of on-duty lifesavers for safety purposes.
One Rescued From Drowning by Drishti Marine Lifesaver at Mapusa Tar Ganesh Visarjan site
Panaji, September 1 -- A Ganesh Chaturthi reveller was rescued from drowning at Mapusa tar on Sunday night by a Drishti Marine lifesaver, bringing into focus the role of special teams of lifesavers who were deployed at various Ganesh Chaturthi immersion sites across Goa to prevent drowning or other untoward incidents.
The incident occurred at around 9:30 pm, when a 38-year-old man from Hubli entered the water at a pond near Mapusa tar to retrieve a stool that he had used for idol immersion, which had floated away.
Due to a strong current, he panicked and called for help. On-duty Lifesaver Rakesh Kumar immediately jumped into the water, secured the victim and brought him safely ashore. The individual was found to be safe and did not require further medical assistance.
Drishti Marine had deployed trained lifesavers at 47 visarjan points across the state to supplement safety and law and order efforts undertaken by the state administration and various security agencies.
The state government-appointed lifesaving agency had deployed its lifesavers across 47 immersion points — 35 beaches and 12 inland locations — on all designated visarjan days. Drishti Marine lifesavers will also be deployed on the forthcoming visarjan days, namely September 2, 4, 6 and 17 (21st day immersion).
Drishti Marine teams will remain stationed at the designated locations until late in the night to ensure adoption of safe practices during idol immersion.
Attempted Suicide Averted by Alert Drishti Marine Lifesaver at Betalbatim Beach
A Drishti Marine lifesaver overcame a physical scuffle while successfully managing to avert a suicide attempt by a middle-aged man at Betalbatim beach in South Goa on August 14.
The incident occurred at 7:00 pm after a dispute broke out between a couple seated on the beach. The man flung his belongings aside and ran into the rough water.
On-duty lifesaver Laxmikant Gaude pursued the man aged between 45 and 50 years and attempted to stop him from wading further into the water. The individual responded by saying he intended to commit suicide and refused to heed repeated requests to return to shore. At one point, he pushed the lifesaver, causing Gaude to fall into the water.
The lifesaver immediately informed the tower supervisor, who dispatched backup to the scene. The team managed to secure the individual and bring him back to the beach before informing the police. Upon the arrival of the police, the individual fled from the scene.
Goa Police are following up on the incident.
Odisha man’s suicide averted by Drishti Marine Lifesavers off Benaulim Beach; Kayaker Rescued From Drowning
Panaji, August 2025 – Aan alert Drishti Marine lifesaver averted a suicide attempt by a 23-year-old man from Odisha off Benaulim beach in South Goa on Sunday, even as a kayak mishap was averted off Hawaii beach near Panaji over the weekend.
Benaulim beach: On Sunday, Drishti Marine lifesaver Sumit Velip noticed a 23-year-old male, all on his own, walking into the water off Benaulim beach. Velip immediately rushed into the water and rescued the individual. During the rescue, in his brief conversation with the lifesaver, the individual said he was attempting to die by suicide in the sea. The police were informed about the incident and the individual was handed into their care.
Hawaii beach: A kayak mishap was averted off Hawaii beach near Panaji on Sunday. A 40-year-old local resident had ventured out into the sea in a kayak, when the vessel toppled, leaving him in distress. On-duty lifesaver Balakrishnan noticed his plight, and quickly reached him with the help of a rescue tube, bringing him safely back to shore.
Six Tourists Insist on Swimming in Rough Sea at Colva despite Lifeguard Warning; Police Intervene
Panaji, July 2025 – At 11:10 pm on July 24 (Thursday), six male tourists walked into the sea off Colva beach, despite being warned by on-duty lifesaver Ravindra Dhokre about the waters being off-limits for swimming on account of the monsoon season. Swimming is also not allowed along Goa’s beaches after sunset.
The six tourists, who were under the influence of alcohol, did not respond to the lifesaver’s repeated instructions to stay out of the sea.
Lifesaver Ravindra Dhokre immediately related the information about six inebriated persons hitting the waters to Captain Arun, who was positioned at the Drishti Marine tower located on the popular South Goa beach. Arun then went on to inform the police about the dereliction. When the police arrived at the spot and attempted to escort the group from the water, the tourists became aggressive.
Beach Marshals Sitaram Korgaonkar and Rama Gaude immediately intervened and helped the police control the situation. The tourists were then taken to the Colva police station.
Drishti Marine lifesavers Rescue Drowning Fisherman off Mobor Coast
Panaji, June 23, 2025 – In a rescue operation, Drishti Marine lifesavers saved a fisherman from drowning off the Mobor coast, after he was pulled nearly 150 meters into the sea by strong currents and was struggling to return to shore.
The incident occurred on Sunday (June 22), when around 20 to 25 fishermen were swimming near the rocks at Mobor beach, when one of them accidentally got pulled into the sea. His associates sought assistance from lifesaver Mega Velip, who immediately informed the team of lifesavers stationed at the Mobor watchtower.
Two jetskis – one each from Mobor and Cavellosim beaches – were immediately launched as part of the rescue operation and lifesavers manning the machines spotted the fisherman struggling in the water at a distance of around 150 meters from the shore. Lifesaver Lavu Gaonkar, who was manning one jetski, brought him safely back to the safety of the Mobor tower.
The victim was experiencing breathing difficulties upon his arrival at the tower. He was placed in the recovery position and administered oxygen, before the fisherman was handed over to the care of 108 ambulance service personnel, who shifted him to a major hospital in Margao. His condition is reported to be stable.
Goa’s beaches are currently off-limits for swimming on account of the ongoing monsoon season, which creates unfavourable conditions for those wading into the water.
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Beachgoers Urged to Not Swim Along Goa’s Coast Due to Heavy Pre-monsoon Showers, Rough Sea Conditions
Panaji, May 2025: Drishti Marine, the lifesaving agency appointed by the Goa government, has urged beachgoers to not wade into the sea due to rough weather conditions triggered by pre-monsoon rainfall and a low-pressure area created in the sea off south Konkan and Goa.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a red alert has been issued for the Goa region, which is expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next three days and is likely to worsen sea conditions. Rising water levels, strong underwater currents, and the development of a low-pressure system over the East Central Arabian Sea near the Konkan-Goa coastline are contributing to the severe conditions, according to India’s apex weather agency.
The effect of a low-pressure area over the sea, which is more likely to intensify northward, is expected to give rise to high tides and turbulent waters, which makes swimming in the sea a risky proposition. A red alert has been issued for this region by the IMD, further emphasising the severity of the situation.
“With the IMD issuing a heavy rainfall alert for Goa, we urge beachgoers to exercise caution and avoid entering the water. The safety of all beachgoers is our top priority at Drishti Marine. Given the unpredictable weather, it is vital to stay alert, especially along the coast. Red flags have been placed across all beaches and access to the water has been restricted due to the rough sea conditions,” stated Navin Awasthi, CEO, Drishti Marine.
Drishti Marine lifesavers are trained to deal with any emergency situations that may arise on Goa's beaches.
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Two K'taka Kayakers Among Eight Rescued From Drowning Off Palolem beach Over Weekend by Drishti Marine Lifesavers
Panaji, 17 March 2025 – Drishti Marine lifesavers remained vigilant during the extended Holi weekend, reuniting four missing children with their parents, providing first aid to beachgoers following a dog bite and stingray contact, and carrying out both single and double rescues along the state’s coastline.
Calangute Beach: A seven-year-old boy from Karnataka, who was separated from his parents, was handed over to lifesavers by a tourist. Public announcements were made along the beach, alerting the boy’s parents and he was reunited with them after following official protocol.
Baina Beach: A lifesaver spotted an unescorted five-year-old child at Baina beach. The child informed the lifesaver that he had been separated from his uncle and aunt. Public announcements were made using a utility terrain vehicle, catching the attention of the boy’s uncle, who was then reunited with the child after due identification protocol.
Arambol Beach: Lifesavers were approached by parents searching for their missing child. A prompt search operation led to the child being located and handed over to the Mumbai-based parents, with police duly informed. In another incident on the same beach, a missing boy from Delhi was also found and reunited with his relatives.
Varca Beach: A 41-year-old woman from Ireland was stung by a stingray, leaving her in immense pain. Drishti Marine lifesavers administered first aid and transported her to her hotel.
Benaulim Beach: A Russian tourist was chased by a pack of six dogs and bitten by one while strolling on the beach in the evening. On-duty lifesavers rushed to her aid, administered first aid, and handed her over to 108 medical emergency personnel. In a double rescue at the same beach, two men—aged 27 and 30, from Haryana and Bengaluru, respectively—were caught in a rip current. Lifesavers Cleyton Vaz and Shrikant Velip quickly responded using a rescue tube and jetski, successfully bringing both to shore.
Palolem Beach: A 24-year-old man from Punjab sustained injuries while kayaking at sea. He attempted to climb a mid-sea rock off the Palolem coast, injuring his hand and leg. On his return, he sought assistance at the local lifesaver tower, where he was given first aid. At the same beach, a man from Mumbai slipped in a rocky area near the shore, injuring his right leg. He was also administered first aid.
Baga Beach: A 24-year-old woman from Hyderabad, who drifted into deep water while swimming and began drowning, was rescued by a Drishti Marine lifesaver on a jetski. She was safely brought back to shore.
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Mishap Averted at Palolem Beach; Two Pune Kayakers Rescued from Drowning
Panaji, April 1 – Two kayakers from Pune were rescued from drowning off Palolem beach in South Goa by Drishti Marine lifesavers during the extended Eid weekend, which also witnessed the rescue of two foreign nationals off the state’s coastline.
Palolem beach: Two men from Pune, aged between 30 and 33 years, who were kayaking off the Palolem coast, panicked when seawater flooded their boat when they were around 500 mts into the sea. Spotting their distress, lifesaver Laxmikant rushed into the water using a jetski and brought the persons safely ashore.
Calangute beach: Despite repeated cautions advising him to not venture into a demarcated watersport zone, a 38-year-old man from Maharashtra received injuries to his leg, while tugging the rope of a water sports boat. The person’s shorts got caught in the vessel’s rotor, injuring his leg. He was immediately administered first aid by lifesaver Vinod Gaonkar. Zones demarcated exclusively for water sports are no go for swimming purposes.
Arossim beach: A minor girl from Russia was suddenly pulled into the sea by rough waves when she and her parents were swimming off Arossim beach. Spotting her plight, a lifesaver rushed to her rescue, bringing the victim, aged between five and seven years, to the safety of the shore.
Arambol beach: A 40-year-old man from Kazakhstan was rescued from drowning off the Arambol coast after he was caught in a rip current. Drishti Marine captain Sandeep Mapankar rushed to his aid and brought him ashore.
Ashwem beach: A 30-year-old woman from Delhi, who had ventured around 70 metres into the sea, found herself trapped in a rip current off the Ashwem coast in North Goa. Her cries for help caught the attention of lifesaver Sumit Ankolekar, who immediately informed the lifesaver tower, before rushing seaward with a rescue board. Captain Nagesh Sarang also joined the lifesaver in the rescue operation with a jetski and brought the person ashore safely.
Agonda beach: A 50-year-old person from Delhi who started drowning off the coast was saved using a rescue tube by lifesaver Ankush Vagonkar.
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