Tag: Drishti Marine

Human Interest

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

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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.

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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.

Human Interest

Goa Weekend Rescues: Drishti Marine Lifesavers Save 12, Aid Monkey-Attack Victim at Dudhsagar

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Over the weekend, Drishti Marine lifesavers demonstrated exceptional courage and efficiency, rescuing twelve individuals from potentially life-threatening situations across Goa’s beaches and providing urgent first aid to a tourist injured at Dudhsagar waterfalls.

At Dudhsagar waterfalls, a 28-year-old man from Hyderabad suffered injuries after being attacked by a monkey, which caused him to fall and cut his left hand. Lifesavers promptly administered first aid and handed him over to his companion. Elsewhere, a 32-year-old tourist from Andhra Pradesh was rescued from drowning after jumping into water without a lifejacket, with lifesaver Babu Gavli rushing in with a rescue tube to bring him safely ashore.

On Sinquerim beach, three members of a family from Gujarat were swept by a large wave, prompting lifesaver Anand Rawool, assisted by Divakar Desai, Santosh Linda, Jimdar Karai, and Mangesh Gawas, to coordinate a successful rescue using a rescue tube. A similar rescue was carried out at Candolim beach when a 30-year-old man from Bengaluru was caught in a rip current 70 meters offshore. Lifesaver Roshan K., with support from Nanda Sawant on a jet ski, brought him safely to shore.

On Calangute beach, a group of four children faced panic after two went missing while playing. Lifesaver Suraj Sawant alerted supervisor Vinod Gaonkar, who immediately launched a search operation using the patrol vehicle. The missing children were soon found on another stretch of the beach and reunited safely with their group.

Baga beach saw lifesavers Biliyam Surim and Jitendra Giri rescue a 56-year-old man from Kerala caught in a rip current. Similarly, at Vagator beach, two minor boys aged 14 and 15 were rescued from a rip current by lifesavers Yashwant Kurle and Sachin Naik. Lifesavers also attended to a 12-year-old boy who accidentally swallowed water while playing, ensuring his transfer to a medical facility via ambulance.

Miramar beach witnessed the successful tracing of a missing child by lifesaver Ramesh Bhomkar, who reunited the distressed child with their parents using the tower’s loudspeaker for coordination. At Benaulim beach, lifesaver Siddhesh Gaonkar rescued a 29-year-old woman from Bengaluru who drifted 50 meters offshore while using a bodyboard.

Palolem beach incidents included the rescue of a 70-year-old tourist from South Korea by lifesaver Kalpesh Pagi and a 38-year-old man from Pune by lifesavers Jeeva Gaonkar and Nilesh Velip. At Agonda beach, a 76-year-old man from the UK was rescued from a rip current by lifesaver Bhikesh Velip, with assistance from Nilesh Galankar on a jet ski.

Through swift coordination, vigilance, and expert lifesaving skills, Drishti Marine teams ensured the safety of tourists and locals alike, showcasing professionalism and dedication in every rescue operation across Goa over the weekend.

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Drishti Marine Lifesavers Deployed at 47 Locations Across Goa for Ganesh Visarjan Safety

Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, August 2025: As Goa prepares to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the state’s lifesaving agency, Drishti Marine, has announced its deployment strategy to ensure safe idol immersions across the coastal state.

A total of 47 visarjan points — including 35 beaches and 12 inland water bodies — will be manned by trained lifesavers on all designated immersion days: August 28, 31 and September 2, 4, 6, and 17 (21st day visarjan). The deployment is part of a coordinated effort with the state government to manage public safety and support law and order during one of Goa’s most widely celebrated festivals.
Lifesaving teams will be present at immersion points with known risks due to strong sea currents or limited visibility at night. These lifesavers will guide families through the immersion process, helping carry idols into the water where required and preventing accidents in high-risk zones.

“Safety is our priority,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine. “Our lifesavers will be present late into the night to ensure that the immersion process is smooth and safe. Since the sea is still officially closed for swimming during this period, we urge everyone to follow lifesaver instructions and avoid venturing into rough waters.”

Key Deployment Points
Some of the major beach locations include Calangute, Candolim, Miramar, Benaulim, Palolem, Morjim, Vagator, and Baga. Inland locations like Mapusa Tar, Panaji ferry point, Cumbarjua ferry, and Aldona pond will also have lifesavers posted in coordination with local panchayats and public organisations.

Prepared for Emergencies
Drishti Marine has also arranged standby teams and support vehicles for quick response in case of emergency. Each site will have between two to six lifesavers, depending on the crowd size and the location’s risk profile.

Public Advisory
The agency has issued a reminder for families to:

  • Use only designated entry points for immersion
  • Follow all instructions from lifesavers
  • Closely monitor children, especially after dark
  • Avoid non-designated or risky areas, no matter how shallow the water appears

As thousands gather to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, Drishti Marine’s lifesavers will remain a steady and watchful presence — ensuring that the spirit of celebration continues safely across Goa’s coasts and water bodies.

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Goa Beaches to Now Have Demarcated Zones for Safe Swimming: Drishti Marine 

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~ Safe swim zones have been divided into three categories: for families, men and women.
~ 40 safe swim zones have already been demarcated across 10 popular beaches; 25 more swim zones to be created soon. Goa to feature 100+ swim zones during peak season

Panaji, April 2025 — To enhance beach safety, Drishti Marine, the state government-appointed lifesaving agency, is in the process of demarcating 65 swim zones (SZs) along Goa’s popular beaches, with 40 already in place across 10 beaches, including the Calangute, Baga, Arambol and Colva stretches. The state to feature 100+ swim zones during peak season.

The initiative aims to create clearly designated swimming areas, reducing risks posed by strong currents, streamline movement of water sports vehicles and for better vigilance and monitoring of swimmers. 

Swim zones have been set up at ten beaches: Arambol, Morjim, Baga, Calangute, Miramar, Baina, Bogmalo, Colva, Baga-2 and Ashvem. Each zone features partition moorings to ensure clear demarcation for safe swimming.Proper signage will be installed at all swim zone sites for clarity.

Currently, a total of 40 swim zones have been established, each divided into three separate demarcated areas (depending on the quantum of footfalls received): one each for families, men and one dedicated exclusively to women. 

“Additional safety measures include the installation of speakers to provide real-time safety announcements and warnings. Water sports activities are prohibited in these swim zones in order to prevent any potential mishap. In case of rough sea conditions, red flags are erected to denote that beach swimming is not allowed,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine. Public announcement systems have been installed at Miramar, Bogmalo, Colva and Baga beaches.

Awasthi also noted that the concept of a dedicated women’s swim zone was introduced in order to ensure additional safety and comfort of women on the beaches. “Everyone should have a safe and enjoyable experience while visiting Goa’s beaches and stepping into the water for a swim,” he added. 

Plans are underway to further strengthen safety measures with the introduction of 25 additional swim zones along other beaches. Over 100+ swim zones will be erected during the peak season. These initiatives align with Drishti Marine’s ongoing efforts to enhance coastal safety and ensure a secure environment for beachgoers, reinforcing Goa’s commitment to responsible tourism and public safety.