Mumbai, July 2022: Since the start of the year 2022, a total of 79 persons have been rescued from the seas off the coast of the six beaches – Girgaum, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa, and Gorai – were Drishti’s lifesavers patrol the beaches and manage beach safety services. The rescues took place in 47 separate incidents, many of which involved double and triple rescues.
Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd was appointed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and Mumbai Fire Brigade in Jan 2019 to provide lifeguarding services and manage beach safety at the six popular beaches along the Mumbai coast – Girgaum, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa, and Gorai – which witness high footfalls.
The highest number of incidents in the last 6 months have been reported in Aksa which saw 38 incidents followed by Juhu with 35 incidents, Versova had 07 incidents while Gorai had 04. Dadar and Girgaum witnessed 03 incidents and 01 respectively. Despite efforts from the lifeguards, 5 individuals succumbed to the waters.
A total of 35 individuals between the ages of 13 to 18 years were involved in incidents so far. 17 individuals were from the age group of 19 to 25 years of age, while 17 were below the age of 12 years.
Drishti’s lifesaving team are first responders to any medical emergencies which may arise on the coast. In the last 6 months, 3 people were assisted to safety while first aid was administered to 1 individual across the beaches.
Drishti has a well-trained team of 111 who are deployed across the 06 lifeguarded beaches in Mumbai. All of Drishti’s lifeguards are trained and certified by the Special Rescue Training Academy, an internationally accredited training agency. The lifesavers have been trained in lifesaving skills and follow the global guidelines laid down in times of the pandemic.
Over the last three years, the collaborative efforts of MCGM, Mumbai Fire Brigade, and Drishti Lifesaving have led to active prevention efforts and swift rescue services along the coast.
“Working with the MCGM has been a pleasure, they have been extremely proactive in their approach to beach safety. Safer beaches usually lead to more visitors and we are actively working with the MCGM to ensure Mumbai’s beaches continue to remain up to the highest standards. The biggest focus is on preventing people from getting into trouble, and ensuring they can enjoy the beaches safely, said Navin Awasthi, Operations Head of Drishti Lifesaving.
He added, “Drishti Lifesaving has also looked into rescue services, garbage management, beach and marine safety across all the beaches of Goa, on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa for the past decade. Drishti employs over 600 lifeguards to provide lifeguarding services across the beach stretch of Goa and the internal water bodies of Dudhsagar and Mayem Lake. Additionally, the company also operates a Beach Safety Patrol, providing beach marshals from sunset to midnight. Since 2008, Drishti lifeguards have saved over 6000 lives due to intervention rescue operations reducing deaths on Goa’s beaches by 99%.”
