Foreigners highlight safety at Candolim

More than 110 foreigners submit memorandum to pursue safety measures at Candolim beach; seek stronger regulation of water sport operators

Published on:

04 Feb 2015, 7:31 pm

TEAM HERALD

CANDOLIM: In a novel initiative, over 100 foreign tourists have petitioned the government on the need for safety measures at Candolim beach.

As many as 110 foreign tourists, led by British national Jason Browne, have come together to pursue the interests of Candolim villagers, especially the shack owners operating at Candolim beach.

The foreigners on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the State government through Calangute MLA Michael Lobo at his Calangute office, requesting the government to adopt various safety measures to win back the foreign tourists.

In their Candolim beach safety campaign petition, the foreigners have sought stronger regulation of boat and jet ski operators, which include the immediate introduction of a marked (with high visibility markers/buoys) designated (entry/exit) boats, jet ski channels away from swimmers and establishment of clearly marked emergency evacuation points at regular intervals along the beach.

The foreigners also suggested re-training and re-educating the beach police and lifeguards, establishing on emergency protocol procedure with regular test drill situations and encouraging greater awareness towards regular beach cleaning patrols.

They also recommended the introduction of signs reminding tourists to dispose bottles with care and consideration towards others.

“We feel these actions will benefit tourists, shack owners, beach workers, watercraft operators and tourists alike,” stated the foreigners in their petition.

Later speaking to Herald, Lobo said the foreigners have highlighted the issues which he has been bringing up before he was elected as Calangute MLA.

“Water sports activities at Candolim have to be regulated properly with a corridor for these activities. Water sports activities in Calangute and Baga have been regulated. I will take up the matter with the department concerned, as foreigners have decided not to come back if the situation does not change in Candolim,” said Lobo.

‘Water sports activity is dangerous in swimming zone’

Regretting that Goans have largely remained silent to the dangers of unregulated water sports activities, the British national who has spearheaded the petition signed by 110 foreigners has stated that unorganized water sports could be detrimental to tourism business in Goa.

Speaking to Herald, Jason Browne said he has been visiting Candolim beach for the last 15 years along with his parents and relatives.

“However, of late there have been disturbing signs on the beach, especially the unregulated water sports activities, which could be very tragic leading to accidental deaths.”

Browne insisted that water sports activities need to be regulated beyond the swimming zone with designated entry and exit points.

“I am a jet ski owner, diver and swimmer and know the repercussions of accidental death due to water sports. It’s dangerous to permit such activities in the swimming zones,” said Brown.

“In this connection, I have seen the death of a young girl at Ashvem two days ago and a foreign national, Colin Biggs, who was almost on the verge of death, had it not been for the timely help of a UK doctor at Candolim beach. Colin struggled for almost an hour on the beach, as nobody knew what to do and how to revive him.”

He alleged that law enforcement and safety agencies had been indifferent to the situation.

“There were police and lifeguards, but everyone shied away from helping. Colin would have been dead today and human life would have been lost due to inadequate safety measures on the Candolim beach.”

“It’s a pity that Goans, though aware of the dangers and the fallout, have decided to remain quiet and carry on their business as usual. It is not a good thing to keep quiet every time, but one needs to raise one’s voice, whenever required, with guts,” Brown added.

“Though a majority of Goans agreed to our petition, they did not want to be a party so as to appease everyone. We are, however, not against the water sports operators and want them as well to earn out of the trade.