Robotic water craft to rescue swimmers on Ratnagiri beaches

Ratnagiri: The district administration has bought five life-saving robotic water craft to improve safety for tourists on Ratnagiri's beaches. Paid for from district planning committee (DPC) funds, the units were handed over to the district police on Friday in the presence of guardian minister Dr Uday Samant.

Lakhs of tourists from India and abroad visit Ratnagiri's beaches every year. In the past five years, 143 tourists and residents have drowned after misjudging the sea, not knowing the tide timings or being caught in strong currents. The robotic craft are meant to make faster rescues possible.

They will be deployed on crowded and risky beaches, chiefly Ganpatipule, the Murud-Ladghar stretch at Dapoli, Guhagar and Aare-Ware. Because the units can reach a person in trouble quickly even in rough weather, they are expected to strengthen rescue work by the police and the disaster management department.

MLA Shekhar Nikam, collector Manuj Jindal, superintendent of police Nitin Bagate and additional superintendent B.B. Mahamuni were among those present at the handover.

Source: Ratnagiri Khabardar