Fishermen from Ullal in Mangaluru have launched Karnataka’s first boat ambulance service to handle medical emergencies at sea. The initiative was started by the Ullal zone Nadadoni and Gillnet Fishermen’s Association to provide first aid and quickly transport injured fishermen to the shore during accidents, fires, or health emergencies. The specially designed boat is equipped with a siren, warning lights, stretcher, oxygen cylinder, first-aid kit, life jackets, and a public address system. Three trained personnel manage the service. Currently, one boat is operational, and there are plans to expand the service across the district with government support.
Why this matters
Most deaths at sea happen due to:
- Boat capsizing
- Fire accidents
- Sudden health issues
- Breathing problems
This boat reaches fast. Gives first aid immediately.
Brings the injured to shore without delay.
The hard truth
Fishermen demanded a sea ambulance for years.
Projects failed due to “technical and financial issues. So fishermen solved it themselves.
Right now, only one boat ambulance is active. The association wants to expand across the district.
But they need funding.
This is not just a service.It is a warning.
When citizens are forced to save themselves, the system has already failed.
This Ullal initiative is now being seen as a model for coastal safety across Karnataka.
Lives at sea should not depend on luck.
They should depend on readiness.
