Every day, thousands of tourists flock to the Kolatoli, Sugandha, and Laboni points of Cox’s Bazar beach, where they enjoy the waves and take a dip in the sea. To ensure their safety, the Sea Safe Lifeguard program, initiated by the Center for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB) in 2014, has been tirelessly working to prevent drowning incidents. Despite having only 27 lifeguards, the team has managed to rescue 742 individuals from drowning since its inception. However, the lack of adequate rescue equipment has often made their life-saving efforts challenging.
Lifeguards rely on rescue boats, a crucial tool in saving lives, to enhance rescue operations. Recognizing this need, Wärtsilä Bangladesh, a global leader in marine and energy technology, has supported the initiative. The company has provided two state-of-the-art rescue boats to the Sea Safe Lifeguard team, significantly strengthening their ability to respond to emergencies.
The official handover ceremony, organized by the Cox’s Bazar District Administration, took place on Sunday (February 9) at the open stage of Laboni Point.
Lifeguards Get a Major Boost
Speaking at the event, Dr. Aminur Rahman, Deputy Executive Director of CIPRB, emphasized the critical role of rescue boats in preventing drowning fatalities.
“Last year alone, our lifeguards saved nearly 150 lives at Cox’s Bazar beach. These rescue boats will make our operations much more efficient, allowing us to respond faster and save more lives,” he said.
Zillur Rahim, Managing Director of Wärtsilä Bangladesh Limited, expressed his enthusiasm about partnering with the initiative.
“At Wärtsilä, we are committed to innovation in marine and energy solutions. Supporting this noble cause aligns with our mission to drive sustainable technological advancements. We hope to continue our support to help Cox’s Bazar’s tourism industry thrive,” he remarked.
Strengthening Safety for Tourists
Tourism leaders also highlighted the importance of lifeguard services. Anwar Kamal, an advisor to the Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar (TOAC), reaffirmed the commitment to making Cox’s Bazar the “tourism capital” of Bangladesh.
“Sea Safe Lifeguards have been dedicated to protecting tourists since their inception. Wärtsilä’s contribution has taken this effort a step further, ensuring greater safety for beachgoers,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Azhar Uddin, Executive Magistrate of the Cox’s Bazar District Administration, stressed the responsibility of local authorities and the community to ensure the safety of visiting tourists.
“Providing these rescue boats is a commendable initiative by Wärtsilä. We appreciate their support and hope this collaboration continues in the future,” he stated.
How the Rescue Boats Work
Lifeguards explained that rescue boats are small, lightweight, and manually operated rescue vehicles, similar in design to surfboards. These boats are highly maneuverable, enabling lifeguards to cut through waves and reach drowning victims within seconds. They can also transport multiple individuals back to shore, from 100 to 1,000 meters from the beach.
Additionally, these boats serve as rescue sleds or surfboard stretchers, playing a crucial role in search-and-rescue missions, particularly in water sports accidents or emergency life-saving situations.
The event was attended by CIPRB Senior Advisor Saikul Islam Helal, Deputy Project Manager Dr. Yasir Iftekhar, Wärtsilä Manager Mohammad Adnan Chowdhury Roni, Sea Safe Project Field Team Manager Imtiaz Ahmed, and Senior Lifeguard Supervisors Saifullah Sifat and Mohammad Osman. Also present were officials from the Tourist Police, Wärtsilä, CIPRB, and lifeguard teams.
With these new rescue boats, lifeguards now have a better-equipped response system to save lives, ensuring that Cox’s Bazar remains a safe and enjoyable destination.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdur Rashid Manik
