Dawn to dusk, a day in the life of Goa’s lifesavers

For the average beachgoer, the sea at the end of the sandy beach is where they can swim, laze and chill out, but for the over 450-plus Drishti Marine lifeguards, who man 38 beaches along the Goa’s coastline, a day at the beach literally translates into a day at work.

From manning the beaches, to being the critical first point of contact, calming parents who have lost their kid, dealing with unruly tourists – these lifeguards do much more than we realise.

It’s a regular day for the 50-year-old Ramakant Govind Kankonkar, who lives in Carca on the Taleigao plateau and loves his duty. “Our work begins early, just around dawn, well before visitors start making a beeline to the shore for a dip,” says Ramakant, who is stationed at Candolim beach and has been a lifeguard for the last 16 years and has saved around 40 lives over this span of time.

Along with him is Shahish Ballikar, who also begins his shift at around dawn, and is based at the beach in the capital city of Panjim – Miramar. “As beachgoers arrive, we make announcements to update them on water conditions and flag signals,” explains Shahish, who captains a team of lifesavers at Miramar beach.

Over the last few years, the Drishti Marine lifeguards have rescued over 7,500 people from drowning off Goa’s seas, apart from handling and rescuing stranded marine species.

Lifeguards meticulously gauge the depth of the water and strategically place flags to indicate safety levels: red flags for no-swim zones, yellow and red flags for areas requiring supervision and chequered black and white flags for designated areas for water sports activity. A thorough examination of their lifesaving equipment is also done, as it is critical in any rescue operation. 

Observation and training are the key ingredients of a successful rescue mission, preparation for which begins by looking for early signs of trouble in the seas. “Upon detecting distress, we quickly alert our colleagues stationed along the coast to either stay in readiness or be prepared for immediate assistance,” explains Shahish.

“In such high-pressure situations, calming the victim’s family is a delicate task, while our primary focus remains on the rescue and stabilising the rescued person. With our soft-skills training, we reassure family members,” says lifesaver Ramakant.

Meet 28-year-old Harsha Naik from Bicholim, who was introduced to Drishti Marine by her brother, who is a member of the lifesaving organisation himself. She finds the role of a lifesaver exciting and rewarding. “The most challenging aspect of being a lifesaver is exercising patience and convincing people not to venture into deep waters,” says Harsha.

Reminiscing about an incident close to her heart, she says, “It was a February afternoon in 2021, during a red alert due to a cyclone. Despite our constant announcements, advising people to stay out of the water, there were still some on the beach. Suddenly, a boy ran into the sea, followed by two of his companions. Two of them got caught in a rip current. I immediately alerted my fellow lifesaver, Rohan Sawant. Before I could reach him, he was swept away by another wave, and I also got caught in the rip current. Despite the dangerous situation, Rohan and I managed to pull the two boys out of the water safely. This rescue remains my most memorable experience.”

The emotional landscape of a lifeguard’s day is complex, with emotions running high on days when rescues are carried out. And it is to their respective families that they turn to for emotional succour and support.

“We feel extremely happy when we save a life. In such times, my family has been truly a strong pillar, providing the emotional strength needed to continue the demanding work,” stated Ramakant, who has been working as a lifesaver for nearly 16 years.

There rarely are quiet days on Goa’s popular beaches like Baga, Calangute, Colva, Arambol, and crowded beaches come with their own set of challenges, which include managing large crowds and ensuring everyone’s safety. More swimmers in the sea also make it difficult for lifesavers to identify people in distress.

“The harsh currents and rough waves are our worst enemies when the beaches are crowded. It’s a challenge to spot trouble in the waters considering the number of people taking a dip in the sea. But staying alert and focused is key to making sure everyone gets home safe,” said Ramakant.

As the crowd on the beach starts waning sometime after the sun sets, it marks the end of yet another day of endless vigil for the sentinels of Goa’s coastline. That is when lifesavers like Ramakant and Shahish head home, waiting for the next dawn and the prospect of the busy day that would ensue.