PANAJI: Drishti Lifesavers were felicitated today in recognition of their heroic rescue efforts in saving the lives of Vasco fishermen on 12th August off Chapora River/ Vagator beach, informed a press release.
The ceremony was graced by State BJP President, Sadanand Tanavade, Rajya Sabha MP, Vinay Tendulkar and Vasco MLA, Carlos Almeida in the presence of Parish Priest of St. Andrew’s Church.
Amit Mahale & Gaurish Mote (Morjim), Sachin Naik & Yashwant Kurle (Vagator), Vinod Salelkar & Divakar Desai (Calangute), Mahesh Gaonkar & Mangesh Gawas (Baga); Tushar Kharade, Shantaram Rane, Nikeel Tandel, Vithal Tandel (Mandrem), Rudresh Mahale & Balkrishna Kalangutkar (Vagator beach response); Sandeep Mapankar, Deepak Gadekar (Arambol) are the Lifesavers who had carried out this rescue.
On 12th August 2021, a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Chapora. In a co-ordinated rescue operation at Vagator which involved 7 Lifesaving teams on jetskis responding from beaches as far as Baga, a total of 17 Lifesavers carried out the rescue resulting in saving the lives of the 10 fishermen.
A fishing boat capsized off Chapora river and threw the lives of fishermen onboard into disarray. Two fishermen jumped into the waters and went missing. Help was alerted. Lifesavers swung into action for rescue. 10 fishermen were rescued by the lifesavers on jetskis while the two missing fishermen were found by a shore lifesaving team in action. The survivors were all then moved to Vagator for first aid and any other assistance.
It was truly a great team effort by all possible only because of the sharp lookout by Lifesaver Yashwant Kurle who first noticed fishermen jumping from the boat and realised that something was wrong when the boat started to sink. Quick response by Amit Mahale, Gauresh Mote and Sachin Naik of Vagator tower on jetskis as first responders, saved the first lot before more Jetski arrived as back-up. Jetski from as far as Baga, Calangute, and Arambol reached the scene and moved into swift action, stated the press release.
