the goan I network
PANAJI
Rip currents are one of the most common problem causing currents witnessed along Goa’s coast with a higher rate of incidents recorded at Calangute, Baga, Anjuna and Colva beaches. The Space Applications Centre of the ISRO team is executing its first rip current experiment referred to as RIPEX 2017.
It will consist of a team of scientists who have developed a specialized drifter using the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, NaVIC (receiver and tested the presence of active rips along some beaches on January 31 and February 1 this year. Drishti Lifesaving played a role in the experiment by identifying a well known rip at Calangute and supported the team in executing their experiment.
The entire experiment was recorded with a drone camera and involved the team observing the strong rip current and recorded its effects extending 90 metres from the shoreline.
With the successful completion of the experiment, ISRO is looking forward to conduct in collaboration with Drishti, a more detailed study on the factors responsible for the formation of rip currents along Goa’s coastline, thereby improving public safety.
“Drishti is already working on developing some of the world’s most advanced technologies in the lifesaving space. We are thrilled with the RIPEX project and extremely humbled to be of any support to ISRO.”
“Drishti’s lifeguards are trained and adept at identifying and conducting rescues in RIP currents. Warnings and studies generated by systems like RIPEX are critical to augment our services and enable us to pre-empt an incident,” said Drishti’s MD Ankit Somani.
Rip currents and under water currents are two of the significant causes leading to rescue operations along Goa’s coast as per the incident reports maintained by the lifesaving company.
In January 2017, lifeguards rescued 30 swimmers arsing from 23 related incidents reported along the beach stretches in the non-swim zones.
