Team Herald
Calangute: The popular Calangute beach stretch had the highest number of rescues by lifesavers between January 2022-February 2022, with 167 rescue operations conducted in the waters off the beach, followed by Baga with 113 rescues, according to Drishti Marine, the state government-appointed lifeguard agency.
A number of rescues were also conducted on other beaches.
Most of the rescues were due to two factors – alcohol consumption and unwillingness to listen to the lifesavers directions to swim within the safe zones marked on the beach with flags. Selfies taken near rocky areas are also a major reason for such rescue operations, Drishti Marine said on Thursday.
Goa being a well-known “fun” destination, visitors tend to want to have a nice time and that often involves consuming a lot of alcohol, Drishti said, urging visitors who have consumed alcohol to stay away from the sea.
In addition, Drishti Marine identified Sinquerim, Baga and Candolim as the beaches which are most prone to hazards such as riptides and unsteady waters.
Drishti Marine urges visitors to follow safety guidelines and to always be aware of their surroundings while enjoying Goa’s beaches. The prescribed guidelines are avoiding swimming in areas with red flags which alerts of rough and high riptides, avoiding entering in areas demarcated as non-swim zones, making sure the instructions and sign boards laid out across the beach are followed and most importantly ensuring visitors listen to the lifesavers as they are doing it keeping in mind your safety, Drishti Marine said.
