Digital Goa, Dec 31 – In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, floating ‘Seahorse’ platforms have been deployed off four popular beaches in Goa to strengthen swimmer surveillance during the peak New Year holiday rush. Currently, four Seahorse units are stationed at high-footfall beaches—Calangute, Candolim and Miramar in North Goa, and Baina in South Goa—when tourist activity is at its highest and crowds are expected to continue into the first week of 2026. Designed as temporary floating watchtowers, the Seahorse platforms address a growing challenge posed by sand erosion, which has made conventional beach watchtowers increasingly unstable. Positioned 20 to 30 metres offshore, these platforms allow lifesavers to monitor swimmers from vantage points at sea, offering a wider field of vision over crowded stretches. Each floating platform can accommodate four to six lifesavers and is equipped with essential rescue gear, including rescue boards, surfboards and rescue tubes.
