The main cause of drowning incidents is 'excessive confidence'
In Antalya, the marine police are on duty 24 hours a day during the peak of the tourism season. Chief Commissioner Uğur Arı stated that they reach the scene in 3 minutes when a report comes in, and that the majority of drowning cases are seen in people who are overconfident.
In Antalya, marine police teams are on duty 24 hours a day for maritime safety due to the intensity of the tourism season. While those who exceed the swimming buoys in areas with heavy ship traffic endanger their lives, in the event of possible accidents, the marine police intervene by reaching the scene within 3 minutes at the latest. In search and rescue operations, missing persons are quickly identified with boat, drone and radar-assisted scans. While the majority of drowning cases are seen in people who are overconfident in the sea, the teams warn citizens not to go outside the swimming areas.
'LIFE AND PROPERTY SAFETY IS OUR PRIMARY DUTY'
Chief Commissioner Uğur Arı, who works at the Provincial Police Department Marine Port Branch Directorate, stated that Antalya is one of the important tourism destinations, and said, “Antalya is an important point opening to the seas. In this direction, we continue our work with our expert friends in the field, underwater and above, taking into account the intensity of the season. We have daily patrols. As marine police, it is our primary duty to take precautions for the safety of life and property of our citizens at sea."
'WE REACH THE SCENE WITHIN 3 MINUTES'
Chief Commissioner Arı stated that they frequently warn citizens against dangerous situations, and said, “One of the most important problems we face is that some of our citizens go outside the swimming buoys and even swim to areas quite far from the coast where there is ship traffic, thus seriously endangering their lives. We work on a 24-hour basis. One of the most important aspects of our job is that we are racing against seconds. After the notification comes, we reach the scene within 3 minutes. Serious accidents can occur in areas where there is a rudder wash, due to the rapid movement of marine vehicles," he said.
'WE SEE DROWNING CASES IN OUR CITIZENS WHO ARE TOO CONFIDENT'
Arı noted that they carry out scanning activities with boats in adverse situations, and said, “If necessary, we carry out aerial scanning with drone support. If an underwater object or missing person is detected, our diving teams make the necessary intervention. All of our service boats have radar devices. In this way, we can open and scan without receiving equipment support from outside. Citizens who do not know how to swim are generally more cautious. Actually, we see drowning cases more often in our citizens who are too confident," he said.
