Goa: Sinquerim, Baga, Candolim prone to sea hazards, says Drishti Marine

CALANGUTE: The popular Calangute-Candolim tourist stretch had the highest number of rescues by lifesavers between January 2022 and February 2023, with 280 rescue operations.
Sinquerim, Baga, and Candolim are the most prone to hazards such as riptides and rocky waters, according to Drishti Marine, the state government-appointed lifeguard agency.
As per the Drishti findings, 167 rescue operations were conducted in the waters off Calangute beach – the highest number in the entire state. Baga was next with 113 rescues and Arambol with 43 rescues, followed by Morjim (29) and Vagator (24) in North Goa.
Palolem led the ranking of beaches with the most rescues in South Goa with 25 rescue operations. This was followed by Colva with 18 visitors rescued and Benaulim with six rescues. Five each were in Agonda and Cavelossim.
Most of the rescues were due to alcohol consumption by tourists and their unwillingness to heed safety calls by the lifesavers and their directions to swim within the safe zones marked on the beach with flags.
Selfies taken near rocky areas are also a significant reason for rescue operations, Drishti Marine said on Thursday.
Goa being a well-known party destination, visitors tend to consume alcohol, Drishti said, urging visitors who have consumed alcohol to stay away from the sea.
The guidelines include avoiding swimming in areas with red flags which are put up to alert swimmers of rough water and high riptides, avoiding entering in areas demarcated as non-swim zones, making sure the instructions and sign boards across various beaches are followed, and most importantly ensuring visitors listen to the lifesavers as they are doing it keeping in mind the safety of tourists, Drishti Marine said.