Navi Mumbai: Robotic watercrafts named “Robo Security” have been provided to three popular beaches – Nagaon (Alibag taluka), Kashid (Murud) and Harihareshwar (Shrivardhan) for security, and assist during emergency. The crafts can be used during monsoon. This was formally launched jointly by the district disaster management authority and the Nagaon gram panchayat. Various other security items were distributed among the 28 police stations and 10 police outposts of the district. A district disaster management official said, “This is a remote operated buoy able to prevent someone from drowning and also safely bring back someone to the coast.” The Raigad district planning department and the district disaster management have provided 125 search lights, 45 mega phones, 500 m long ropes, 50 tool boxes, three modern drones, 1,000 fluorescent jackets, 30 night vision binoculars, 25 rescue rope gun, 150 body bags, 50 disaster management rescue kits, 30 emergency lights, and dry chemical powder for fire fighting. A distribution program was organised at the district police headquarter represented by three police officers and other personnel from all the police stations. An event was also held at the Nagaon beach where the sarpanch, Harshada Mayekar, witnessed the use of robotic watercraft. The remote controlled device was tested in sea amidst water sport activities. District beaches report a number of drowning incidents. With the deployment of ‘Robo Security” officials expect a drop in such incidents.
