Kerala has made history again by raising an all-women team of scuba divers for underwater rescue operations. Named the ‘Gannets’ after the seabird known for its remarkable diving ability, the team has joined the Kerala Fire and Rescue Force for active duty after completing training at the Institute for Advanced Training in Water Rescue (IATWR) under the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
According to a senior official of the Fire and Rescue Department, the 17-member team underwent rigorous training at the IATWR under the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services.
“The team has been formed to enhance the efficiency of rescue operations and reduce water-related accidents. The team has been named after Gannets because they have been trained to operate with the same precision as Gannets for agility and precision in underwater missions,” the official said.
An official statement said the state decided to raise such a team because of the rising water-related accidents. A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said that after road accidents, water-related incidents rank highest in Kerala.
“The team for Gannets was selected from the 100 women who were recruited as Fire and Rescue Officers in Kerala in 2024. The team underwent training in Advanced Open Water Diving. They have been trained to operate in pools, quarries, and rivers. They are equipped to dive to a depth of 25 to 30 meters and perform complex search and rescue missions,” the official said.
The Gannets Women’s Team will be a turning point in empowering women in emergency rescue and disaster operations.
