The fishermen who saved 500 tourists

Saving those who otherwise would have drowned in the sea has become a way of life for a group of 20 fishermen in Kotepura beach near Mangalore. With the monsoon around the corner, the group is getting ready to help audacious tourists who chase waves and inadvertently end up in trouble.

“There are around 90 fishermen in Mogaveerapatna village near Kotepura. Over 20 of us are always on the shore and keep an eye on the beach. As this is one of the most picturesque beaches in south India, tourists flock here every weekend and get dangerously close to the sea, especially during the monsoon when the sea is very rough. These boys have saved over 500 people over the last 10 years,” said Praveen Kotian, the elder among the group. “They have not undergone any training. They have imbibed skills in saving lives in rough waters and are highly motivated,” he said.

Vasudeva, an ace swimmer who is fondly called ‘thakur’ (chief), has saved more than 60 lives over the last five years. “Police say we have rescued more than 500 tourists and I have contributed by saving 60 persons over the last five years. Many a time, I have lost cash and cellphones. I have even lost my wedding ring for which my wife is still angry with me,” Vasudeva said with a wry smile.

Why too many tourists are prone to drowning here which is not the case with other beaches?  “The sea is very turbulent near the beach here. Also, there are two shrines—Somanatheshwara temple and Sayyad Madani Darga—within a kilometre from the beach. After visiting the shrines, most pilgrims visit the beach to relax. But some of them get into trouble,” said Sudhir Suvarna, president, Shivaji Swimmers’ Association.