Goa Lifesavers Rescue Four Visually-Impaired Tourists From Karnataka From Drowning off Baga Beach

Panaji, October 25, 2024: In a swift rescue operation, four visually-impaired tourists from Karnataka were saved from drowning by Drishti Marine lifesavers off Baga Beach in North Goa, on Friday evening. 

Aged between 22 to 43, the persons – three men and one woman – were seated near the shoreline at Baga beach, when rising water levels unexpectedly pulled them into the sea. After the visually-impaired persons could not find their balance on an uneven patch of the sea bed, they struggled to stay afloat and started drowning. 

Spotting them in duress, lifesavers Vinod Gaonkar, Fondu Gawas and Suryakant Paryekar immediately rushed to rescue them with surfboards and rescue tubes. All four persons were brought ashore to safety. 

It may be recalled that several beaches in Goa, including the Baga beach stretch, had recently witnessed unusually high tidal movement, with sea water inundating several beach shacks along the coastline.

Amid 13 Rescues, Drishti Marine Lifesavers Thwart Two Thefts, Aid French Woman Attacked by Cow at Palolem Beach

Panaji, October 21, 2024: In between saving 13 lives from drowning off Goa’s coastline over the weekend, vigilant Drishti Marine lifesavers doubled up to thwart two attempted thefts at Calangute beach, managing to retrieve the stolen articles and also provided first aid to a French woman who was attacked by a cow at Palolem beach. 

At Calangute beach, lifesaver Saurabh Patil spotted a man attempting to steal a bag from two Russian tourists swimming nearby. He swiftly intervened, retrieved the bag and handed the suspect over to the police, who arrived shortly after.

In another incident, as two tourists from Manipur were enjoying a swim, a thief stole their phones and cash from their bags and tried to run away. He was spotted by a Drishti Marine lifesaver who retrieved the stolen articles, while also catching hold of the suspect. The suspect was handed over to the police, who arrived at the spot. 

A triple rescue was reported at Calangute beach involving a 22-year-old man from Maharashtra and two local men, aged 18 and 21, who found themselves in a rip current while swimming and began to drown. Lifesavers Kartik Naik, Rohit Hirnaik and Hrutuj Rawool swiftly intervened, using a surfboard and rescue tube to bring all three ashore to safety.

The weekend also witnessed 10 single rescues, including the rescue of a 50-year-old Russian national at Candolim beach, who found himself caught in a rip current. He was rescued by lifesaver Sanjay Yadav with the help of a rescue tube. At the same beach, a 30-year-old man from Bhopal lost his balance due to the uneven nature of the seabed and started drowning. He was rescued and brought to shore by lifesaver Manish Bhengra using a rescue tube. A 51-year-old Russian woman, trapped in a rip current, was rescued off Morjim beach by lifesaver Dyaneshwar Mahale with the help of Anand Parab, who used a jetski and a surfboard to bring her ashore. 

Drishti Marine lifesavers rescued two individuals at Baga beach. A 27-year-old tourist from Maharashtra was in distress after his jetski overturned in rough waves; lifesavers Vinod Gaonkar, Sandesh Paryekar, and Suraj Nimbalkar used their jetski to bring him ashore. Another rescue involved a 35-year-old man from Hyderabad caught in a rip current.

Three persons were rescued off Calangute beach over the weekend, one of whom was a 35-year-old intoxicated man from Karnataka. 

Drishti Marine lifesavers came to the aid of a 56-year-old French woman, who was attacked by a cow at Palolem beach. She was unable to move on account of her injuries, because of which she was transferred to the rescue vehicle with the help of a spine-board and dispatched to  the Canacona Health Centre for medical attention. 

At Arambol beach, a 24-year-old man from Karnataka suffered breathing difficulties after returning to shore from a kayak ride. His kayak had overturned in the sea, but he appeared to develop breathing issues after he reached ashore. Drishti Marine lifesavers provided oxygen and put him in recovery position, advising further medical attention.

A man from Delhi walking on Anjuna beach cut his right toe on broken glass. After administering first aid, Drishti Marine lifesavers placed him on a spine board and sent him to a doctor by taxi.

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Eleven Rescued off Goa Coast During Dussehra Weekend: Drishti Marine

~ Drishti Marine lifesavers carried out three double rescues during the Dussehra weekend.

~ Two Russian nationals were also rescued in two separate incidents off Morjim, Candolim beaches. 

Panaji, October 14, 2024: The Dussehra weekend, which saw an increase in the volume of tourists visiting Goa for a weekend holiday, witnessed 11 rescues carried out by Drishti Marine lifesavers along the coast, which included the rescue of two Russian nationals. 

Over the weekend, lifesavers also executed three double rescues, while managing to reunite a missing child and provide medical assistance to six persons during the same period. 

Two Russian women tourists were rescued by lifesavers in two separate incidents at Morjim and Candolim beaches in North Goa. At Morjim, a 58-year-old Russian woman was swimming with a group of six others, when she was caught in a rip tide, which she found difficult to extricate from. Noticing her discomfort, lifesavers Vikas Chavan and Amol Salgaonkar rushed to her aid with the help of a surfboard and jetski, bringing her ashore. At Candolim, lifesaver Bhaskar Ghatkar similarly rescued another Russian national, who was caught in a rip tide. 

The Dussehra weekend also witnessed three double rescues occurring off Baga and Ozrant beaches. At Mobor, a mother (39 years) and son (nine years) had panicked after finding themselves in chest-deep water, unable to swim ashore. Their discomfort was spotted by lifesavers Vishal Gaonkar and Satendra Velip, who rescued them with a rescue tube and surfboard. 

Off Baga beach, lifesavers rescued two friends, aged 35 and 40, who had ventured deep into the water while under the influence of alcohol. Noticing them drowning, lifesavers Suraj Nimbalkar, Leslie Rodrogies, Vinod Gaonkar, and Siddesh Bhosle rushed in with a rescue tube, surfboard and jetski to bring both safely ashore. At Ozran beach, lifesavers acted swiftly to save siblings aged seven and ten, swept into the sea by a sudden wave. The boy and girl were wading in the water when they began drowning, after being unbalanced by the uneven seabed. Lifesavers Babaji Naik and Suhas Gawas used a surfboard and rescue tube to bring them to safety. The children’s parents were at a nearby shack when the incident occurred.

Three single rescues were carried out by lifesavers at Baga and Candolim beaches. At Candolim beach, a 72-year-old female from Lucknow got dragged into the water while sitting at the shore when lifesavers Sanjay Yadav, Yashwant and Jaiprakash Choudhary rushed to her aid and got the victim out to safety. Her vitals were found to be absent but was recovered with CPR by the lifesavers. The victim has been shifted to GMC for further treatment. 

Drishti Marine lifesavers reunited a nine-year-old girl from Bengaluru with her family at Calangute beach, after she was reported missing by her parents. The missing girl was located within ten minutes after lifesavers made public announcements in an effort to trace her. 

At Baga beach, a heavily intoxicated 21-year-old from West Bengal was found with an alarmingly low pulse rate, who was handed over in the care of medical emergency personnel by attending lifesavers.  

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24 Beachgoers, Including Five Foreigners, Rescued in One Week as Goa’s Tourism Season Gets Underway

~ 16 single rescues and four double rescues were conducted off Goa’s beaches over one week. 

~ Medical treatment administered to a Madhya Pradesh native after he was bitten by an eel. 

Panaji, October 7 -- In a week that witnessed the arrival of the first international charter flights to the state, signalling the symbolic beginning of Goa's tourism season, 24 persons were rescued from drowning over the last one week, which included five foreign nationals.

Drishti Marine lifesavers conducted 16 single rescues and four double rescues during the period, while also managing to re-unite four missing children and providing medical assistance to persons injured on the beaches, including one person from Madhya Pradesh who was bitten by an eel. 

At Candolim beach on October 6, a 58-year-old man from China was rescued by Drishti Marine lifesaver Sanjay Yadav, after he was dragged as far as 70 metres deep into the sea by a rip current. 

On October 4, a Russian mother (40) and daughter (15) were rescued at Candolim beach. After assuring lifesavers they would stay in shallow waters, they were soon caught in a rip current. Lifesavers Divakar Desai and Sanjay Yadav quickly intervened with a surfboard and rescue tube to bring them back to safety. 

On October 6, a 68-year-old American tourist at Morjim beach struggled in the water after his family returned to shore. Lifesavers Kashinath Nawar, Pramod Mahale, and Ketan Nagvekar utilised a rescue tube, rescue board, and jetski to successfully rescue him.

Arambol beach also witnessed the rescue of a 31-year-old Australian man on Sunday (October 6). He was caught in a rip current and had to be rescued by lifesaver Aana Melekar with a rescue board. 

Over the past week, four double rescues occurred at Arambol, Mandrem, and Agonda beaches. On October 4, lifesavers Harshad Chandekar, Chetan Bandekar, and Vaibhav Chodankar rescued two men from Bengaluru, aged 21 and 28, from drowning at Arambol. On October 3, lifesaver Karan Tandel saved a 43-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman at Mandrem. Additionally, on Sunday at Agonda, lifesaver Satyawan Velip rescued a 34-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl caught in a rip current.

From the 15 single rescues conducted off Goa's coastline over the last week, the most number of rescues were carried out off Calangute - Candolim beach stretch. 

Drishti Marine lifesavers not only perform rescues but also handle medical emergencies. On September 30 at Ashwem beach, a man from Madhya Pradesh was bitten by an eel while playing with it near the shore. Lifesavers provided immediate first aid before transferring him to a medical team with a 108 ambulance. Additionally, on Gandhi Jayanti at Betalbatim beach, lifesaver Laxmikant Gaude administered first aid to a 49-year-old man from Gujarat, who had cut his foot on a broken glass bottle while walking. Both incidents highlight the lifesavers' commitment to beach safety.

Four missing children were also traced and handed over to their parents by lifesavers over the last week. 

On October 4, a four-year-old girl from Mapusa went missing at Calangute beach but was found within 15 minutes and safely returned to her father after police confirmation. On October 6, a nine-year-old boy from Belgaum also went missing at Calangute but was quickly located following a public announcement. Additionally, at Morjim beach, lifesavers found a child from Karnataka alone and reunited him with a family member after confirming his identity.

A 62-year-old woman from Punjab, missing since early morning on October 6, was located at Sinquerim beach after lifesavers conducted a search following her family's report.

On October 2 at Calangute beach, lifesaver Hari Chopdekar apprehended a thief who stole a mobile phone from a sleeping tourist's bag. The thief attempted to flee but was caught and handed over to the police.

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Major Tragedy Averted: Five Intoxicated Tourists Rescued Off Calangute Beach by Drishti Marine Lifesavers

Panaji, October 2024: In a significant multiple rescue operation, five male tourists from Kerala were rescued by Drishti Marine lifesavers off Calangute beach, in the early hours of Friday. 

The five men, aged between 25-30 years, entered the sea in an intoxicated state at around 6:20 am on Friday. Shubham Kelaskar, a lifesaver posted at Calangute beach, was informed about the five intoxicated individuals stepping into the water at 6:20 am.

Incidentally, Goa’s beaches are off-limits for swimming between 6 pm and 7 am. 

When he arrived at the site, Shubham noticed that the tourists appeared intoxicated and were not paying heed to his repeated warnings. He relayed the information to his colleagues at the lifesaver tower at the beach and advised them to stay alert. 

After the five tourists waded deeper into the water, they were caught in a rip current, around 30 metres from the shore. Noticing their distress, Shubham, along with other lifesavers posted at the beach, namely Nakul Usapkar, Sujal Dhuri, Kartik Naik and Rohit Hirnaik, rushed into the water and brought the five tourists to the shore with the help of rescue tubes. 

Once they were on the beach, the lifesavers, as per standard protocol, checked their vitals, to confirm that the five individuals were unharmed. They were subsequently handed in the care of their friends, who had accompanied them to the beach. 

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Drishti Marine Lifesavers, Volunteers To Ensure Public Safety During Ganesh Idol Visarjan

Panaji, September 2024: Drishti Marine lifesavers, along with a hand-picked team of volunteers, will aid the state administration and security agencies to ensure public safety during the celebratory immersion of Ganesh idols at 57 locations in the state.

Lifesavers will also assist immersion groups to ferry the idol into the water at locations which witness rough currents. 

The state government appointed lifesaving agency will be deploying its teams of lifesavers and volunteers at 57 locations, including 45 coastal beaches and 12 other immersion sites until the late hours of the night on all the designated visarjan (immersion) days up until September 28. 

“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. 

Drishti Marine has made arrangements for additional back-up lifesaver teams 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 named above, lifesavers will also be deployed at Tar and Green Park in Mapusa, near Hotel 4 Pillars in Panaji,  Assanora, Vaddem lake, Parra Verla pond, Morjim lake, Aldona pond and the Cumbarjua, Panaji and Betim ferry points.

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Drishti Lifesavers Upskilled Through Annual Refresher Training Programme in Emergency Response, Soft Skills

Drishti Lifesavers Upskilled Through Annual Refresher Training Programme in Emergency Response, Soft Skills

~ Drishti Marine lifesavers underwent mandatory endurance tests, soft skills training and emergency response drills as part of the annual refresher training programme

Panaji, August 2024: Drishti Marine’s 450-strong lifesaver force recently underwent an annual rigorous refresher and revalidation course aimed at reinforcing their emergency lifesaving responses, physical drills and enhancing their communication skills. 

The annual refresher and revalidation exercise was in sync with the safety guidelines prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for safe recreational water environments. 

Conducted batch-wise to facilitate simultaneous beach patrolling and training, the recently concluded course was conducted over two months, concluding in the first week of August. Each batch was trained for six days a week, eight hours a day.

“Drishti Marine’s lifesaver force annually undergoes an annual refresher and revalidation training to ensure they are up-to-date vis-à-vis the latest professional skills and techniques. The skills taught 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 have to undergo annual training programmes to retain their certification and remain eligible for beach duty. This refresher programme, held in both districts of Goa, was conducted by the Special Rescue Training Academy (SRTA).

“Our lifesavers are the first responders on the beach, equipped with the essential tools and training to administer immediate first-aid to victims until emergency services can take over. Lifesavers also received training on correct handling of marine wildlife strandings, ensuring they are prepared for several situations,” Awasthi added.  

The refresher programme incorporated comprehensive sessions that delve into the intricacies of CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage, the proper handling of oxygen cylinders, and rescue with the tube and rescue boat which were reinforced through live demonstrations.

“This year, lifesavers were required to meet stringent fitness criteria, including the ability to swim 400m within 11 minutes to pass the training. This criteria also included a 200m run following a 200m swim, one after the other, within eight minutes. Additionally, significant importance was given to first-aid and CPR training, as it demands swift and efficient response in assisting victims within a short span of time,” stated Awasthi.

The programme also included a session on effective communication and soft skills, aimed at helping lifesavers interact positively and efficiently with beach visitors, including tourists.

Drishti Marine followed a training curriculum approved and conducted by the Special Rescue Training Academy (SRTA) to train its lifesavers. SRTA is affiliated with the central government’s National Skill Development Council and the Skill India programme. The Academy is currently affiliated with Surf Educators International of Australia. 

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Lifesavers Rescue Thirteen Fishermen After Boat Capsizes Off Colva Beach

Panaji, July 2024: Thirteen fishermen, aged between 25 and 50 years, were rescued off Colva beach by Drishti Marine lifesavers on Monday morning.

The rescue was undertaken after a fishing boat carrying the 13 fishermen capsized 70 metres away from the Covla coastline, resulting in the fishermen being tossed into the rough sea. All of the fishermen hailed from Andhra Pradesh. The incident occurred at 10:15 am. 

On spotting their distress, eight on-duty Drishti Marine lifesavers rushed to the aid of the struggling fishermen using surfboards, a rescue tube and two jet skis. In the course of the multiple rescue operation, a jet ski operator sustained a nasal bone injury and has been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

All the 13 rescued fishermen were brought safely to the shore and their health parameters were checked, before they were allowed to depart.
 

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Drishti Marine Lifesavers and Several Beachgoers Bitten by Stray Dogs on Goa’s Beaches in Last Two Months

Panaji, May 2024: Three on-duty Drishti Marine lifesavers were bitten by stray dogs while patrolling Goa’s beaches in the span of two weeks in May 2024. They received the necessary first aid and medical attention.

On Wednesday (May 22), lifesaver Roshan Patil was bitten by a stray dog on Betalbatim beach while patrolling, and taken to the health centre in Cansaulim for treatment and vaccination. 

On Tuesday (May 21), lifesaver Sarvesh Tandial was bitten by a stray dog at Calangute beach, and received the necessary first aid, vaccination and medical treatment for his wounds. 

Last weekend, Sashikant Jadhav, Drishti Marine lifesaver and operations manager for the North and South Goa sectors, was bitten thrice by a stray dog while patrolling on an e-cycle at Mandrem beach. He was taken to Asilo District Hospital in Mapusa for necessary vaccination.

Lifesavers also intervened and helped two foreign nationals who were bitten by stray dogs in two separate incidents on Benaulim beach in April 2024. A 35-year-old woman from Russia was bitten by five dogs, saved by Drishti Marine personnel and taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. 

A woman from Canada was also chased by a pack of four dogs and bitten on the right thigh. She was administered first aid at the lifeguard tower by lifesaver Cleyton Vaz, who dispersed the dogs. The dog-bite victim was then taken to a nearby hospital for further medical attention.

There have also been other reports of encounters between stray dogs and beachgoers along the coastline recently, particularly in May, with Benaulim and Colva beaches emerging as hotspots for such incidents.  

Bollywood actor Rayya Labib sustained bruises and scratches after she was chased by stray dogs last week at Colva beach while holidaying in Goa. 

Last week also witnessed a 24-year-old Russian woman being bitten by a pack of stray dogs while cycling on Benaulim beach, and was rescued by nearby fishermen. She was treated for minor injuries sustained during her encounter with stray dogs.

In mid-May, a 24-year-old woman from Loutolim was bitten six to seven times by stray dogs on Benaulim beach, and later taken to the Primary Health Centre in Loutolim, even as a senior citizen at Colva beach was also chased by a pack of stray dogs during his morning run but managed to remain unharmed.

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Drishti Marine Issues Monsoon Advisory for Goa Beaches: Public Urged to Avoid Swimming Due Rough Seas

~ Stay safe this monsoon: Avoid swimming in the sea, stay away from rocky areas and cliffs and heed weather warnings.

~ Heavy rains and rough seas: Drishti Marine urges beachgoers to exercise caution.

Panaji, June  2024: With the onset of monsoons, Drishti Marine, the state government-appointed lifesaving agency, has, in an advisory, urged the public to avoid swimming off beaches in the state due to rough sea conditions, including dangerous rip currents and high tides, in addition to strong winds, which makes venturing into the sea risk prone.  

The advisory follows severe weather warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), predicting heavy rains and rough sea conditions across the coastal state.

Drishti Marine is dedicated to ensuring the safety of beachgoers and the advisory is a part of its ongoing efforts to prevent accidents and fatalities during the monsoon season. The monsoon, which typically lasts from June to September, triggers increased rainfall, rough seas and unpredictable weather patterns, making water-oriented activities along the coastline particularly risky.

Drishti Marine’s 450-strong force of lifesavers patrols Goa's beaches all year. On account of the monsoons, adverse weather conditions and the expectation of heavy rain and high waves, red flags have been posted across all beaches under Drishti Marine’s supervision, in order to discourage beachgoers from swimming or wading into the water. 

“We have marked all beaches with red flags to signal that swimming is unsafe. Even wading in the water is strongly discouraged. Our team of lifesavers, stationed along the coast, is closely monitoring the weather patterns and their impact on the sea. They are trained to perform rescues even in adverse conditions," stated Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine .

Drishti Marine urges visitors to avoid rocky areas, cliffs and hills along the shoreline. During the monsoon season, these locations become especially dangerous due to their slippery surfaces. The sea also experiences increased wave height, intensity and frequency, significantly raising the risk of beachgoers being swept into the turbulent waters.

Drishti Marine monitors sea conditions and weather conditions on a daily basis. 

#ListenToYourLifesaver: Safety tips for the monsoons by Drishti Marine, Goa’s lifesaver agency:

• Refrain from swimming or any water activities until the advisory is lifted. 

• Those visiting the beach should keep a minimum of 10 metres away from the waterline and listen to instructions given by lifesavers.

• Keep a very close eye on children while on the beach and do not allow them to venture into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow it may appear to be.

• Stay alert as patrolling lifesavers make regular announcements to alarm and educate people via the public address system installed on their four wheelers.

• It is not suitable to head out to the beach or venture into the water during lightning and thunder, because lightning can pose danger. 

• Do not climb onto the rocks during low tide because the rocks tend to get a lot more slippery and mossy during the monsoon season.

• Avoid taking selfies on rocky areas and cliffs.

• It is not advisable to swim or to engage in any water sports activities at the beach during the monsoons from June to September, because even though the sea may seem calm, a sudden large wave can sneak up on you and pull you into deep waters without warning. 

•  If under the influence of alcohol, make sure you do not venture into the water. 

• Always read and obey the safety signs found at the main entrance of the beach

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