Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 16 December 2023
In a bid to bolster the expertise of beach officers, the Tourist Safety and Enforcement Team (TSET), lifeguards, and tourism stakeholders at Corbyn’s Cove Beach, a comprehensive tabletop exercise and mock drill was executed on December 15, 2023.
The exercise witnessed active participation from Beach Officers, TSET members, lifeguards, and 20 tourism stakeholders representing diverse water sports activities such as Sea Kart, Jet Ski, Parasailing, Kayaking, and FRP Boats. Mr. Aqeeb Azeem, a consultant from the Directorate of IP&T, spearheaded the event as the resource person. His session emphasised the significance of mock drills, the assessment of response times during emergencies, the pivotal role of effective communication, and the implementation of emergency response protocols in real-time scenarios.
Engaging in interactive sessions, Azeem keenly observed and identified the strengths and weaknesses of the involved parties, offering on-the-spot guidance to address any shortcomings within the Beach Officer, TSET, lifeguards, and tourism stakeholders.
To put the knowledge gained into practice, a mock drill was promptly initiated. Simulating an emergency scenario, the drill enacted a collision between a Sea Kart and a Jet Ski in the sea while transporting guests. The coordinated efforts of the Beach Officer, TSET, lifeguards, and tourism stakeholders, including water sports operators, efficiently managed the mock emergency situation.
The mock drill was conducted under overall supervision of the Director of IP&T, with key officials from the Directorate of IP&T overseeing the proceedings, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation and learning experience for all participants.