Two school dropouts have created a "sea cycle" as a makeshift liferaft to prevent beachgoers from drowning in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Azharuddin and Nazharuddin, 25-year-old twins in Keelakarai municipality, work as ambulance drivers and are frequently called upon to attend emergencies.

The scenic beaches in the town attract tourists but as there are no police or lifeguards in several spots, drowning accidents are frequently reported.

Hameed, a friend of the twins, said it takes time to organise boats during a crisis. The two men, who are active social workers as well, decided to build a "sea cycle" which can be deployed at a short notice.

The brothers used water cans and bicycle parts such as pedals, a chain and modified wheels to construct the vehicle. They spent about two months outside of work hours making the cycle.

The cycle can move at a speed of 10 miles per hour and it can carry life jackets, tubes and other life-saving equipment.

“Next time there is an emergency at the sea, we will hopefully respond better,” the brothers say.

This footage was filmed on September 26.

Two school dropouts have invented a ‘sea cycle’ using simple components like water cans to save lives in the sea.

Azharuddin and Nazharuddin, 25-year-old twins in Keelakarai, a beach town in southern India, work as ambulance drivers.

Due to the nature of their job, the two young men are frequently called upon to attend to emergencies in their town.

The scenic beaches in the town attract tourists but as there are no police or lifeguards in several spots, drowning accidents are frequently reported.

In July, a local man drowned while swimming and it took nearly 10 hours to find his body, showing how poorly equipped the town was in handling emergencies.

Hameed, a friend of the twins, said it takes time to organise boats during a crisis. The two men, who are active social workers as well, decided to build a ‘sea cycle’ which can be deployed at a short notice.

Though Azharuddin and Nazharuddin have studied only till 10th standard, using ‘common sense’ and simple components -- water cans and bicycle parts such as pedal, chain and modified wheels -- they spent about two months outside their work hours.

Though the Covid 19 epidemic made huge demands on the time of the two ambulance drivers, they managed to invent the ‘sea cycle’ on schedule.

The ‘sea cycle’ can carry a two-member search and rescue team to the sea, a rider and another person on the pillion. The team can carry with them life jackets, tubes and other life saving devices.

It is stable enough to venture into deep sea and can be pedalled at a speed of 10 miles per hour. It can move forward or backward and can be turned in any direction.

The ‘sea cycle’ is handy, can be carried by two men, and as there are no mechanised parts, there are no maintenance headaches.

It offers a viable alternative in remote beaches in developing countries where having a motor boat for rescue missions is not an option.

“Next time there is an emergency at the sea, we will hopefully respond better,” the brothers say.