Under
its beach safety management programme GTDC has posted 52
trained lifeguards at various locations along the 105 km
state coastline. This is in our continuing efforts to prevent
incidents of drowning at sea.
These 52 lifeguards will carry out emergency, rescue as
well as support functions.
Sanjeet Rodrigues, Managing Director GTDC, says that Rs
5 to 6 lakh have been spent on the training of the lifeguards,
while an amount of around Rs 10 to 12 lakh has been utilised
for purchasing modern equipment like high visibility binoculars,
pocket masks, oxygen resuscitators, portable oxygen cylinders,
fluorescent jackets, hand microphones, water goggles and
first aid kit boxes among other things.
Mobile lifeguard observation chairs have been provided,
while beach observation posts are being designed. A consultancy
agency will be appointed soon to monitor the functioning
of the lifequards.
The 52 lifeguards were selected from 129 applicants, and
have been trained by personel from the National Institute
of Water Sports (NIWS) and other agencies.
All the lifeguards have successfully completed Surf Life
Saving Techniques (SLST) course through the NIWS and First
Aid and CPR course through the Goa branch of the Red Cross
Society.
GTDC has done proper analysis of beach stretches which
are frequented by tourists as well as locals, and proper
emphasis has been laid on areas where drowning deaths have
occurred.
The 52 lifeguards have been spread on beaches at Keri,
Arambol, Mandrem (Ashvem), Mandrem (Junes), Morjim, Vagator,
Anjuna, Baga, Calangute (North and entrance), Candolim,
Sinquerim, Miramar, Baina, Bogmalo, Velsao, Arossim, Majorda,
Betalbatim, Colva, Sernabatim and Benaulim.
Proper demarcation of beaches into ‘Safe Swimming
Zones’ has been done by marking such zones with two
yellow flags, while non-swimming areas are marked with red
flags. All demarcated swimming zones are manned by lifeguards
with full equipment.
Mr Rodrigues said that the lifeguards have been instructed
to display tide timings on day-to-day basis and various
pamphlets giving information to tourists on safe swimming
would be distributed to all the stakeholders, including
tourists.
Apart from this facility, the GTDC has sought help from
the locals, respective village panchayats and staff of the
forest department at various check posts, especially in
certain isolated stretches of beaches which have neither
hotels nor shacks.
The major problem faced by the lifeguards is assaults from
tourists, who get aggressive when requested not to enter
rough waters or accident prone zones in the sea. "We
would like the tourists to respect the sea rather than confront
it, especially under the influence of the alcohol,”
said Rodrigues.
2.5 million tourists are expected to arrive in Goa, this
tourist season, most of whom will be visiting different
beaches around the state. Without cooperation from the tourists,
52 lifeguards will be hard put to protect swimmers along
the 105 km coastline of Goa. “However, the Corporation
will try to prevent any untoward incident in the beach waters,
to the best of its ability.”