Tag: beach safety

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Double Rescue, Dog Attacks and Emergencies Mark Busy Weekend on Goa Coast

Tanisha Cardozo

A series of incidents unfolded across Goa’s coastline over the weekend, keeping Drishti Marine lifesavers constantly engaged in ensuring the safety of beachgoers. From a dramatic double rescue at sea to cases of dog attacks, medical emergencies, and recovery of lost belongings, the stretch of beaches witnessed heightened activity.

    At Morjim beach, two tourists from Maharashtra found themselves caught in a flash rip current while swimming. Acting swiftly, a lifesaver rushed to their aid before additional support arrived on a jetski, successfully bringing both individuals back to shore. The timely intervention prevented what could have escalated into a serious situation.

    Meanwhile, at Benaulim beach, a lifesaver on duty was attacked by a group of stray dogs, sustaining bite injuries. In a separate incident at Majorda, a 52-year-old beachgoer was also attacked by a stray dog and required immediate first aid before being advised further medical care. These incidents have once again raised concerns about stray dog presence along popular beach stretches.

    At Colva beach, a watersports operator suffered a leg injury after a boat overturned due to strong waves, with lifesavers administering first aid on-site. Elsewhere, at Palolem, a senior tourist experienced breathing difficulties and was promptly assisted with oxygen support before being shifted to a hospital.

    Apart from emergencies, lifesavers also played a crucial role in assisting tourists by recovering and returning lost items, including bags, identification cards, and mobile phones, across beaches like Calangute, Galgibaga, and Benaulim. Their efforts ensured that valuables were safely returned following proper verification procedures.

    The weekend’s events underline the unpredictable nature of coastal environments and highlight the critical role played by trained lifesavers. Their vigilance, quick response, and dedication continue to make Goa’s beaches safer for both locals and visitors.

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    Glass Injuries on Goa’s Beaches Spotlight Deposit Refund Scheme as Preventive Solution

    Tanisha Cardozo

    Recurring injuries caused by broken glass on Goa’s beaches have once again drawn attention to how waste is managed after consumption, particularly along the state’s most visited coastal stretches. As concerns grow over visitor safety and tourism reputation, Goa’s newly introduced Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) is increasingly being viewed as a practical and incentivised solution to prevent glass litter before it reaches the sand.

    In January this year alone, two beachgoers required first aid after suffering cuts from broken glass along the popular North Goa shoreline. Data sourced from Drishti Marine, the Goa government-appointed beach safety agency, indicates that glass-related injuries were reported in 2025 from beaches including Anjuna, Arambol, Baga, Benaulim, Calangute, Colva and Palolem. In 2024, similar cases were recorded at Betalbatim, Morjim, Velsao, Baina and Palolem. The recurring pattern highlights an ongoing safety concern tied to discarded and often buried glass bottles.

    Stakeholders connected to the tourism industry say the issue affects both residents and visitors. Carlos Souza, convenor of the Confederation of Indian Industries’ Goa panel on Tourism, emphasised that glass litter is a safety hazard that undermines the visitor experience and the everyday use of public spaces. Shack owners echo the concern, noting that bottles are frequently brought onto beaches, consumed, and either left behind or buried in the sand, only to resurface and cause injuries later.

    Cruz Cardoz, president of the Shack Owners Association, has suggested that a deposit system for bottles sold near beaches could help address the problem. His suggestion aligns closely with the thinking behind the Deposit Refund Scheme currently being rolled out by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Goa. Under the DRS, consumers pay a refundable deposit at the point of purchase, which is returned when the empty container, including glass bottles, is brought back to an authorised collection point.

    Dr Anthony de Sa, who heads the DRS Scheme Administrator Committee, has explained that the scheme was designed to cover waste streams that typically escape collection due to their low resale value, such as multi-layered plastics and certain packaging materials. While high-value waste like PET bottles and beer bottles are often recovered, low-value items such as snack wrappers and juice cartons are frequently left behind because they are costly to collect and transport. The DRS seeks to address this imbalance by creating an incentive at the source of consumption.

    The broader objective of the scheme is not merely to clean up waste after it enters drains, beaches or public spaces, but to encourage its return before it becomes litter. By incentivising both consumers and waste collectors, policymakers hope to drive a behavioural shift in disposal practices and encourage more responsible packaging choices by manufacturers.

    For tourism-dependent communities and beach businesses, such measures are increasingly seen as necessary. With Goa’s economy closely linked to its coastal appeal, recurring glass injuries serve as a reminder that environmental management and visitor safety are inseparable. As the DRS rollout progresses, its effectiveness in reducing glass litter on beaches may well become a key test of how policy-driven incentives can translate into safer and cleaner public spaces.

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    Seahorse Platforms Add Extra Vigilance on Goa’s High-Footfall Beaches: Drishti Marine

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    Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

    Drishti Marine’s newly deployed Seahorse temporary floating platforms are already playing a crucial role in lifesaving operations along Goa’s coastline, reinforcing beach safety as an added layer of vigilance during one of the state’s busiest tourist seasons.


    Since their introduction in December 2025, a total of 34 rescues have been recorded at beaches where the Seahorse platforms are deployed. In December, 11 rescues were carried out—seven at Calangute, three at Candolim and one at Miramar. In January 2026 so far, rescues have increased to 23, with Miramar accounting for 13 rescues, followed by Calangute with seven and Candolim with three. No rescues were reported at Baina during this period.

    The Seahorse platforms have been deployed at Calangute, Candolim and Miramar in North Goa, and Baina in South Goa, supplementing existing safety infrastructure such as beach towers and shore-based patrols. Positioned offshore, the platforms allow lifesavers to monitor swimmers from vantage points at sea—particularly valuable in high-footfall areas where land-based visibility can be limited.

    Recently, one of the Seahorse platforms assisted in the successful rescue of 13 students from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) off Miramar beach.

    “In many situations, every second matters. With the Seahorse platforms, our teams are positioned closer to the risk zone, which significantly cuts reaction time. What earlier took three to five minutes can now be addressed in under a minute—and that difference can mean a life saved,” said Austin Collaco, General Manager (Operations), Drishti Marine.

    According to Collaco, lifesavers can now be dispatched to water-based emergencies in under five seconds. “Within about five seconds of receiving the rescue alert, the jet ski is on its way. It can cover a distance of 100 metres in roughly two to four seconds, depending on water conditions,” he explained.

    Each Seahorse unit accommodates four to six lifesavers and is equipped with a jet ski ramp, rescue boards, surfboards and rescue tubes. The elevated structure provides a wider field of vision over nearshore swimming zones, while the jet ski enables immediate response to emergencies.

    The deployment of Seahorse platforms also addresses challenges caused by increasing sand erosion along several beaches, which has made some conventional lifesaver towers unstable or difficult to relocate. The floating platforms are anchored to the seabed and positioned approximately 20 to 30 metres offshore, depending on depth and tidal conditions.

    Of the four temporary floating platforms initially deployed, two are currently positioned at Miramar and Baina beaches respectively.

    Drishti Marine currently deploys over 450 lifesavers across 24 beaches in North Goa and 30 beaches in South Goa, along with inland locations including Dudhsagar waterfalls and Mayem lake, ensuring comprehensive safety coverage across the state.

    Human Interest

    Drishti Marine’s ‘Sagar Safar’ Relaunched to Boost Ocean Confidence and Strengthen Public Safety

    allycaralgoa

    Panaji, 2025 : Drishti Marine, Goa’s state-appointed lifesaving and rescue agency, has relaunched its community-oriented guided sea-swimming initiative, Sagar Safar, with the aim of familiarising beachgoers with the ocean, helping them overcome fear of open water, and significantly reducing drowning incidents along the state’s coastline.

    The programme—conducted daily at 11 am and 4 pm—is currently offered at six major beaches: Baga, Calangute, Sinquerim and Candolim in North Goa, and Benaulim and Colva in South Goa.

    Each session, lasting approximately one hour, is supervised by trained lifesavers who guide participants through controlled sea-swimming experiences using buoyancy aids and life jackets. The sessions also include a safety briefing, live demonstrations on recognising rip currents, and an explanation of beach flag systems, ensuring every participant gains practical understanding of essential sea-safety protocols.

    Accessible Guidance Through Multiple Touchpoints

    Participants can register directly with lifesavers stationed at each beach.
    To increase awareness, Drishti Marine has integrated technology-driven communication:

    • Real-time announcements via the Aurus AI mobile bot
    • QR codes at lifeguard towers and rescue vehicles linking to the Sagar Safar website
      These tools help ensure that visitors receive timely updates on session timings and safety advice.

    Expanded After Success of ‘Swim With Lifesavers’

    Originally launched in 2021 as Swim With Lifesavers, the initiative returns in a more comprehensive format following strong public demand. Past participants—especially first-time swimmers and travellers from inland regions—reported feeling safer, more confident and more informed about sea behaviour after attending the programme.

    A Mission to Build Respect, Awareness and Safety

    Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine, emphasised that Sagar Safar is more than just a guided swimming experience—it’s a life-saving educational effort.

    “The idea is to help people appreciate the ocean while respecting its power. Our lifesavers guide participants through safe techniques, explain flag colours and demonstrate how to identify rip currents. The goal is simple — awareness and confidence,” said Awasthi.

    The programme also fosters deeper respect for the lifesavers who protect Goa’s coastline daily and enhances ocean literacy among both residents and tourists.

    Year-Round Programme (Except Monsoon)

    Sagar Safar sessions will continue all year round, pausing only during the monsoon months when swimming is restricted due to rough seas.

    With the relaunch, Drishti Marine aims to encourage safer beach culture and empower swimmers with the skills and confidence needed to enjoy Goa’s waters responsibly.

    Social

    16 People, Including Five Foreign Tourists, Rescued from Drowning by Drishti Marine Over the Weekend

    Tanisha Cardozo

    Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

    Over the weekend, Drishti Marine lifesavers undertook a series of critical rescue operations across Goa’s coastline and at Dudhsagar waterfalls, saving the lives of sixteen people, including five foreign nationals. The incidents unfolded across multiple beaches, with rip currents, unforeseen wave surges and visitor misjudgment posing significant dangers. At Mandrem beach, lifesavers rescued a Russian couple who had been pulled nearly 100 metres offshore by a rip current, followed by another rescue involving a man from Uttar Pradesh who faced similar difficulties.

    Morjim beach witnessed the rescue of a UK tourist dragged around 60 metres into the sea, while at Baga, a tourist from Maharashtra required immediate intervention to return safely to shore. Candolim beach saw a lifesaver assist a 19-year-old from Telangana who struggled to swim back after drifting out.

    At Bogmalo, an 11-year-old girl was treated for a jellyfish sting, with lifesavers providing immediate first aid before transferring her to medical care. Another medical emergency unfolded at Velsao beach, where lifesavers assisted a 54-year-old woman who had fallen in shallow water and experienced breathing difficulties, stabilising her until an ambulance arrived. At Betalbatim, two elderly Russian women were caught in a rip current, and despite a language barrier preventing them from responding to warnings, lifesavers swiftly rescued both.

    A similar emergency occurred at Benaulim beach where a man from Hyderabad was pulled offshore, prompting a coordinated rescue. At Colva beach, lifesavers traced and reunited a five-year-old boy from Karnataka who had wandered away from his parents, following proper identification protocols.

    Further south, at Palolem, a kayak carrying a man and a child capsized 500 metres offshore, and lifesavers responded on a jet ski. At Agonda, a couple swimming outside the safe zone found themselves in danger when the woman was caught in a rip current, prompting a rescue. At Patnem beach, two tourists from Uttarakhand were pulled by strong currents and brought ashore by a lifesaver using a surfboard.

    Two separate incidents at Dudhsagar waterfalls involved a three-and-a-half-year-old girl from Kerala and a tourist from Hyderabad, both of whom were rescued after entering deep water without life jackets. These coordinated efforts by Drishti Marine reflect the lifesavers’ unwavering vigilance and their essential role in maintaining safety across Goa’s beaches and water destinations. Their timely interventions, spanning rescues, reunions and emergency first aid, ensured that potential tragedies were averted across multiple high-traffic tourist locations.