Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: AI-powered robots, specially trained rescue dogs and a team of 75 lifesavers will be deployed to ensure the safety of triathletes participating in IRONMAN 70.3 India, scheduled to be held at Miramar beach in Goa on November 1.
The three-tier safety arrangement for the opening swimming leg of the endurance event has been put in place by Drishti Marine, the state government-appointed lifesaving agency responsible for preventing drowning incidents and responding to emergencies along Goa’s coastline. The event is expected to attract participants from more than 30 countries.
According to Navin Awasthi, Chief Executive Officer of Drishti Marine, the agency will deploy 75 lifesavers along with five jetskis, surfboards, two jeeps and two boats, which will remain on standby to respond to emergencies during the event. Three canines from its specially trained Paw Squad will also be stationed at Miramar beach for the 1.9-km swimming leg.
In addition to its regular rescue teams, Drishti Marine will deploy its state-of-the-art artificial intelligence-powered safety systems, AURUS and TRITON, for the event. AURUS is a self-driving robot developed by the agency, while TRITON uses onboard artificial intelligence to monitor non-swim zones, identify potential threats and assist lifesavers in preventing mishaps. Together, the two systems are designed to provide comprehensive beach safety coverage.
Awasthi said Drishti Marine was proud to provide safety support for the sixth consecutive time to the prestigious international triathlon, which attracts participants from across India and around the world. He said the agency’s lifesavers were fully equipped to handle emergencies and that the deployment of AURUS and TRITON would further strengthen safety arrangements. He also confirmed that trained dogs from the Paw Squad would be stationed at Miramar beach.
The Paw Squad canines are specially trained in water rescue operations and equipped with harnesses and rescue tubes. They are trained to identify people in distress in the water, swim towards them, enable them to hold on to the rescue tube and return safely to shore while towing the victim.
IRONMAN 70.3 India is a triathlon endurance event covering a total distance of 70.3 miles, or approximately 113 km. The competition comprises a 1.9-km swim, a 90-km cycling segment and a 21.1-km run. The event has attracted participants from more than 50 countries across its five previous editions.
