The start of the New Year gave tourists all the reasons to be in Goa to take a holiday break, but for the Drishti Marine lifeguards, who man the State's shoreline, the festive season was the most backbreaking as they had to maintain a hawk's eye to save people from drowning.
In 2023, Drishti lifeguards rescued over 700 persons of which 469 were saved from drowning. Calangute beach reported the largest number of incidents in the last year. Of the 469 incidents reported, 397 were of Indian nationals, including residents of Goa, while 72 were foreigners.
Unfortunately, six persons succumbed to the waters of the sea. October, which marks the formal beginning of Goa’s tourism season, witnessed the highest rescues, with 133 reported, followed by 70 in November and 52 in December 2023.
Of the several cases, which include water-based rescues, medical emergencies and assisted to safety, persons in the age bracket of 12 years and below accounted for 178 incidents, the highest number across various age categories. Persons in the age group of 19 to 25 years accounted for 175 incidents and those in the 35 to 45 bracket accounted for 165 incidents.
“From January to December, there were 165 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,” Navin Awasthi, CEO, Drishti Marine said.
From January to December, there were 165 cases of missing children, where young ones wandered away from their families. The team has successfully closed all reported missing children cases, reuniting them with their parents.Navin Awasthi, CEO, Drishti Marine
Like in 2022, Calangute beach witnessed the highest number of rescues in 2023 with 213 incidents, followed by 116 in Baga, 67 in Arambol, while Morjim accounted for 39, Mandrem reported 30 incidents and Candolim accounted for 28. In South Goa, Palolem reported 42 incidents and Colva reported 37 such rescue incidents.
After the hectic Christmas and New Year days, Drishti lifeguards are now gearing up for the the Republic Day weekend from January 26 to 28 which is expected to bring a large number of tourists to Goa.