Udupi: Social worker and sea rescuer Eshwar Malpe carried out a dramatic rescue operation on Sunday, swimming deep into the Arabian Sea to safely bring ashore a 38-year-old man who had remained in the water for nearly three hours.
The rescued man was identified as Yathish, 38, a resident of Kaadipatta and a former lifeguard at Padubidri Blue Flag Beach. His prolonged presence in the sea had triggered concern among local residents, fishermen and beach safety personnel.
According to locals, Yathish had reportedly attempted similar acts once or twice in the past. On those occasions, residents had intervened and brought him safely back to shore.
Fishermen make repeated rescue attempts
Yathish entered the Arabian Sea on Sunday afternoon while coastal residents watched. As he remained in the water for an extended period, fishermen who arrived by boat from Kaup attempted to bring him back.
The fishermen reportedly made repeated efforts for more than 30 minutes to pull Yathish into their boat. However, their attempts were unsuccessful.
With the situation becoming increasingly concerning, locals sought assistance from authorities and other experienced rescuers.
Sadashiva of Padubidri contacted Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna and informed him about the situation. Suvarna subsequently contacted Eshwar Malpe and requested him to undertake the rescue operation.
Eshwar Malpe enters the sea
Eshwar Malpe reached Padubidri beach at around 2.15 pm after being alerted about the incident.
Known for his experience in sea rescue operations, Eshwar entered the Arabian Sea and began swimming towards Yathish.
He eventually covered a distance of approximately three nautical miles to reach the man. Rather than attempting to forcibly bring Yathish back, Eshwar reportedly engaged him in a calm and reassuring conversation.
The approach helped Eshwar persuade Yathish to return towards the shore.
After establishing contact with him, Eshwar began swimming back alongside Yathish. The two gradually made their way towards the beach as local swimmers and lifeguards assisted in the operation.
Rescue completed around 3.15 pm
Eshwar and Yathish reached the shore at around 3.15 pm, bringing the tense rescue operation to a safe conclusion.
Local swimmers and Blue Flag Beach lifeguards Prajwal, Sushanth and Badal assisted Eshwar during the rescue.
Their support was important as the operation involved bringing Yathish back after he had spent a prolonged period in the sea.
The successful rescue brought relief to the residents who had been watching the situation unfold and had earlier witnessed unsuccessful attempts by fishermen to bring him aboard.
Village leaders thank rescuer
Following the rescue, Ashok Salyan, president of the Kadipatt Mogaveera Sabha, thanked Eshwar Malpe on behalf of the village.
The incident highlighted the importance of experienced sea rescuers in responding to emergencies along the coast, particularly when conventional rescue attempts prove difficult.
Eshwar’s experience in handling sea rescue situations enabled him to approach Yathish and convince him to return without escalating the situation.
The coordinated efforts of local swimmers, lifeguards and fishermen also contributed to the successful operation.
Coastal Security Police visit spot
Coastal Security Police and Home Guards also visited the location after being alerted about the incident.
The presence of the security personnel highlighted the seriousness of the situation, particularly given the distance from the shore and the length of time the man had remained in the sea.
However, local residents expressed concern over the lack of a speedboat with the Coastal Security Police for emergency rescue operations.
They said the absence of a suitable fast-response vessel could create difficulties during emergencies in which a person is stranded or in distress at sea.
A speedboat could allow rescue personnel to reach people in distress more quickly and could also support swimmers and lifeguards during difficult rescue operations.
Rescued man shifted to hospital
After being brought safely to shore, Yathish was shifted to Dr A V Baliga Hospital in Udupi for further treatment.
Medical attention was arranged following his prolonged stay in the sea. The hospital will assess his condition and provide further treatment as required.
The rescue operation ended without a loss of life, despite the considerable risks involved in reaching a person who had been swimming several nautical miles offshore.
Incident raises coastal safety concerns
The incident has once again drawn attention to the need for adequate emergency rescue infrastructure along the coastal belt.
Padubidri and other beaches in the region attract residents and visitors throughout the year. While trained lifeguards and local rescuers play an important role in responding to emergencies, specialised equipment such as speedboats can significantly improve response times.
The concerns raised by locals regarding the absence of a speedboat for the Coastal Security Police are therefore significant.
The incident also demonstrated the value of coordination between local communities, elected representatives, trained lifeguards, fishermen and experienced sea rescuers.
Eshwar Malpe’s intervention ultimately brought Yathish safely back to shore after a prolonged and potentially dangerous situation. The successful operation provided relief to the coastal community while also highlighting the need to strengthen emergency response facilities along the coast.