PANAJI
Drishti Marine lifesavers rescued 42 persons, including 38 tourists onboard a cruise boat and four on a dinghy, after both vessels stranded among rocks off Aguada Bay on Thursday evening amid rough sea conditions.
A press statement by Drishti Marine states that thunderstorm-induced turbulent seas and strong waves made the rescue operations challenging.
A team of 12 lifesavers deployed on a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) and jetskis first responded to the distress call from the cruise boat, which had been caught amid rocks due to the rough weather.
All 38 passengers were safely evacuated and brought ashore.
Soon after, the lifesavers received an alert about a dinghy stuck nearby, following which they rescued four persons onboard and brought them to safety.
"Both operations were completed without injury to either the rescued persons or the rescuers. The lifesavers were assisted by staff at the nearby Aguada Jail and the Port complex, who provided additional equipment including lights and ropes to aid in the rescue efforts," it said.
Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department had issued a warning about turbulent weather and rough sea conditions along the Goa coast.
