Over a single weekend, the vigilant lifesavers of Drishti Marine sprang into action across Goa, executing a total of 16 critical rescues that prevented potential tragedies. Their heroic efforts spanned from popular beaches to the majestic Dudhsagar waterfalls, safeguarding the lives of domestic and international tourists alike.
Beach Rescues: Battling Rip Currents and Rough Seas
The coastline witnessed multiple incidents where swimmers were caught in dangerous rip currents. At Miramar beach, a 41-year-old Russian man and a 38-year-old Russian woman were pulled approximately 100 meters away from the shore by a powerful current. Lifesavers Karan Tandel and Dattaguru Korgankar swiftly responded, bringing the couple back to safety. Similarly, two elderly Russian women required assistance after being caught in a rip current off Betalbatim beach.
Other beach rescues included a 38-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh saved by lifesaver Suraj Kelushkar at Mandrem, and a 37-year-old tourist from the United Kingdom rescued from drowning off Morjim. At Baga, a 23-year-old tourist from Maharashtra needed help while in the water and was brought ashore safely by lifesavers Sudhar Singh and Sujan Nagvekar.
Diverse Incidents and First Aid Response
The lifesavers' duties extended beyond open-water rescues. In a concerning incident, they successfully traced a missing child, reuniting them with their family. Furthermore, the team administered crucial first aid to two individuals suffering from painful jellyfish stings, one of whom was a child.
Other notable interventions included lifesaver Krishna Shiddekar saving a 19-year-old tourist from Telangana who entered the sea at Candolim despite not knowing how to swim. At Velsao beach, a 54-year-old woman from Zuarinagar fell in shallow water and experienced breathing difficulties; she was promptly provided with oxygen support by the alert team.
Widespread Operations Across the State
The rescue operations were not confined to North Goa. The lifesaving services were actively required at several beaches in South Goa as well, with rescues reported from Benaulim, Colva, Palolem, Agonda, and Patnem. This highlights the extensive coverage and constant vigilance maintained by Drishti Marine along the state's entire coastline and key tourist spots like the Dudhsagar waterfalls.
The weekend's events underscore the critical role played by professional lifesaving services in a major tourist destination like Goa. They serve as a vital reminder for all visitors to exercise extreme caution, heed safety warnings, and swim only in designated zones patrolled by these trained professionals.
