Thirteen NIO Goa Students Rescued from Stranded Trawler
Thirteen biology students from the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa faced a sudden emergency during a marine study tour. Their fishing trawler ran aground on a sandbar approximately two hundred meters off Miramar beach. The incident occurred on Tuesday, putting the students in a precarious situation.
Swift Response from Drishti Marine
Drishti Marine lifesavers launched a rapid rescue operation from their temporary floating platform at Miramar, named Seahorse. This platform aims to reduce response times for water-based emergencies, particularly drownings. Lifesaver Shahish Ballikar first spotted the stationary trawler, noting it was overcrowded beyond normal fishing capacity.
Ballikar, along with lifesaver Swapnil Khandolkar, immediately took action. They launched a jet ski from Seahorse to assess the situation. The crew aboard the stranded trawler quickly requested assistance from the approaching lifesavers.
Challenges During the Rescue
The initial rescue attempt involved requesting help from operators of a nearby trawler. They tried to tow the grounded vessel using a rope. However, the rope snapped during this attempt, complicating the operation.
Drishti Marine then deployed additional resources to ensure a safe evacuation. They launched a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, to complement the jet ski already on scene.
Successful Evacuation and Safe Return
The combined efforts of the jet ski and RIB led to a successful evacuation. All thirteen occupants, comprising nine women and four men, were safely rescued from the stranded trawler. The lifesavers brought them ashore without any reported injuries.
This incident highlights the importance of marine safety measures and quick response capabilities. The use of the Seahorse platform proved effective in facilitating a timely rescue operation.
