Why can't helicopters be used to rescue people drowning in the sea? Madras High Court poses question

The Madras High Court has raised the question of why helicopters cannot be utilised to rescue people drowning in the sea at Marina and other beaches located on the eastern coast in Chennai and Chengalpattu districts. A bench comprising Justice A.D. Abdul Sahad and Justice B. Karthikeyan raised this question.

The matter arose during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by K. Gopal, a resident of Madhavaram, Chennai. The petitioner's 17-year-old son, G. Santhosh, had gone swimming at Marina Beach on 5 July, 2026, but has not returned since. Two friends of Santhosh, who had gone swimming with him, were rescued, but Santhosh remains missing.

The High Court emphasised the need for central and state agencies to work in coordination to rescue people swept into the sea due to high tides. In this context, the judges, through suo motu action, impleaded the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), functioning under the leadership of the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, as a party to the case.

The Court directed Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan to obtain information from the newly impleaded party by 20 November regarding the type of actions taken by the central agency to rescue people who go into the sea and are swept away in the tide.

During questioning in court, Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) M. Mohammed Riaz stated that 50 police personnel from the 12th Battalion of the Tamil Nadu Special Police are deployed at Marina Beach every day to control the crowds. He further stated that for the safety of people in the Chennai division, seven jet skis, one all-terrain motor vehicle, and two mini tractors have also been kept. Additionally, two 12-ton boats of the Coastal Security Group patrol the coastline from Pazhavarkadu to Neelankarai.

During the hearing, Justice Chandirakalan also sought information regarding the operation of CCTV cameras in the city's peripheral areas. The court was informed that the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) spans an area of 426 sq km and the civic body has installed 468 surveillance cameras at public places in the city. However, it was revealed that 73 of these cameras are faulty.

Reacting strongly to the faulty cameras, the bench stated that it is unacceptable for cameras to be non-functional for any reason. The primary purpose of installing CCTV cameras is to ensure immediate action after an untoward incident occurs. When cameras are not working, the very purpose of installing them becomes futile, for which the Chennai Corporation will be held responsible.

The judges said that this issue is extremely important as the petitioner's son is still missing. The Court emphasised creating an effective arrangement so that central and state agencies can immediately become active to save the lives of fishermen and others who get trapped in high tides. The bench has decided to hear the matter regarding the functioning of the MRCC, operating under the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority, on 20 November.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) is an organisation for coordinating maritime search and rescue operations, functioning under the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority.