The Canaguinim boat mishap, which claimed the lives of three Russian women tourists, has brought water sports under the close scanner of the authorities. That the ill-fated boat was operating sans permissions only goes to indicate that all is not well with the water sports activity. But, welcome to Colva, where the activity has thrown up a question of sorts for the authorities to handle. Here, visitors complain of utter chaos on the beach in the absence of any demarcation of zones for water sports and bathing.
The need for regulating and streamlining of water sports activities on Colva beach have become all the more important with water sports being carried out right on the beach front. Incidents of visitors having a close shave with jet skis and sports boats are not uncommon.
When Herald sought to find out with the water sports operators on the mode of operation at Colva beach, they maintained that they have restricted themselves in the zones earmarked by the lifeguards manning the beach.
President of South Goa Water Sports Operators Association, Domingo Rodrigues said the water sports operators are extra cautious in a beach as crowed as Colva to ensure that the activity does not cause nuisance to the visitors. “Water sports operators at Colva beach follow a queue system. We have restricted our activity to the 20-metre beach stretch earmarked by the lifeguards. The operators have also employed people and have placed floaters in our area of operation to alert the visitors,” Rodrigues said.
Tourism Additional Director, South, Pamela Mascarenhas, however, asserted that only the committee consisting of representatives of Captain of Ports, Tourism, Fisheries and National Institute of Water Sports can take a call on the demarcation of the beach for bathing and water sports.
“We had in the past received complaints of jet skis coming close to the bathing zones. Moreover, it has come to light that the activity is being carried out right at the entrance to the beach. All these issues will be addressed by the panel as and when it is constituted by the government,” she said.
Captain of Ports, Capt James Braganza, however, said that responsibility of demarcating the zones on a beach lies with the Tourism Department. “My office does not come in the picture in respect of demarcation of zones for bathing and water sports. No doubt, the Captain of Ports will act as a coordinating agency against the backdrop of the boat mishap, but demarcating the beach zones lies with the Tourism Department,” he said.
Chairman of Margao-based NGO Green Goa Foundation, Raison Almeida, lamented that there’s no proper supervision or law enforcement vis-à-vis operation of water sports. “The government should step in and frame proper rules and put in place enforcement machinery to ensure that the water sports boats conform to safety of their customers and visitors alike,” he said.
Local activist Judith Almeida echoed similar sentiments. “There ought to be separate zones for water sports and bathing. But, it appears there’s no planning and proper application of mind. You cannot allow bathing zones and water sports activity close to each other. Safety of the visitors and those who venture out for a sea bath is of paramount importance. After the Canaguinim boat tragedy, the authorities should streamline water sports activity,” Almeida said, while demanding regulation of the water sports activities as per the policy framework.
