Goa lifesavers positively impact nearly 950 lives along coast; save 639 from drowning 

Goa Khabar : Through 2024, Drishti Marine’s lifesavers have been called on to positively impact the lives of approximately 950 persons involved in 764 incidents along Goa’s coastline and the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, saving the lives of as many as 639 persons from drowning. 

Apart from the 639 persons – which translates into nearly two water-based rescues per day in the calendar year – saved from drowning by Drishti Marine lifesavers all through 2024, other incidents where the trained lifesaving force managed to positively impact the lives of beachgoers, involved the administration of first aid during medical emergencies (157) and aiding 146 persons to safety, which includes assistance in tracing missing children and reuniting them with their parents or guardians.

In comparison to the nearly 950 persons saved by lifesavers in all incidents in 2024, the corresponding tally last year was 702, representing a 35.3 percent increase in the number of incidents requiring intervention from lifesavers along Goa’s coast and the Dudhsagar Waterfalls.

Drishti Marine’s roster of 639 water-based rescues included 487 Indian nationals, of which the two states that accounted for the highest number of rescues are Karnataka (119) and Maharashtra (106). Among the 120 foreign nationals who were rescued from drowning in 2024, Russians (70) and UK nationals (16) account for the most rescued from a particular foreign nationality.

In 2024, Calangute beach topped the number of positive interventions (164) made by lifesavers, which was followed by 147 in Baga and 66 in Candolim in North Goa, where 545 incidents were reported overall.

In South Goa, where a total number of 239 incidents were registered, Colva beach reported 38 incidents that required intervention from lifesavers, followed by Palolem beach (30). Additionally, Dudhsagar Waterfalls, which, like the Mayem lake, is safeguarded by Drishti Marine lifesavers, accounted for 22 interventions from lifesaving personnel.

The month of December, which marks a peak in Goa’s tourist footfalls, witnessed the highest number of incidents in 2024, with 141 incidents reported in the winter month, followed by 117 in October and 113 in November last year, according to Drishti Marine.

In the year 2024, persons in the age bracket of 26 to 35 years accounted for 215 incidents requiring lifesavers’ interventions, followed by the age group of 19 to 25 years (154) and persons aged 12 years and below (33). Of the approximately 950 interventions, 680 incidents involved male victims, while women accounted for 269.

Of the 146 incidents that involved assisting persons to safety, a majority involved children aged 12 and below. “From January to December 2024, there were 139 cases of missing children, where young ones wandered away from their families, forcing frantic parents and family members to reach out to the lifesavers for help. Drishti Marine’s alert team has successfully closed all reported missing children cases, reuniting them with their parents,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine.

Drishti Marine’s lifesavers are the first responders to any medical and rescue emergencies that arise on the state’s coast. In the year 2024, first aid was administered to 157 individuals across the 45 designated beaches where lifesavers are deployed, which includes 22 persons who were bitten by stray dogs on the beaches of Goa.

Unfortunately, all through 2024, eight persons also succumbed to the waters along the coastline.

Drishti Marine began operations in Goa in 2008. A total of 200 drowning deaths had occurred in the previous year, which prompted the state government to take immediate measures and put together an efficient system to curb drowning-related deaths.

The lifesaving service has led to a 99 percent reduction in deaths due to drowning and significantly improved the tourist experience in Goa. Over 8000 lives have been saved since then, due to intervention and rescue operations by Drishti Marine’s trained lifesavers.