United Kingdom to use drones for beach rescue

(Rescuers prepare to launch a drone; RNLI Rescue Unit; Photo provided by RNLI)

The UK’s Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) is working with the RNLI to test a new drone rescue service for marine emergencies

Paul, UK. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is collaborating with the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) to test a new rescue service for emergency response drone pilots developed using Eagle Eye Innovations.

To test the use of drones as part of an operational rescue service, RNLI lifeguards monitored their use at Crantock Beach in Newquay, Cornwall.

Manufactured by drone specialist Swell Pro, the drones are said to be able to improve the monitoring of people in the water, by sending pre-recorded messages and live messages via the Tannoy system (an emissions methodology that, by inserting two drivers into each other, allows Perfectly homogeneous signal propagation, allowing sound to be radiated from a point source) and has the potential to distribute life-saving objects, such as inflatable floats.

“The River Gannel which runs through the center of Crantock Beach and especially at low tide makes access across the wide stretch of beach and onto the foreshore difficult for our patrol vehicles,” says Peter Dawes, Chief Operations Officer. Rescue operations at the RNLI.

“The drone will allow rescuers – continues Peter Dawes – to make rapid observations over a large area, and an integrated speaker system will allow rescuers to help inform the public and give proactive safety advice. RNLI rescuers play a vital role in keeping the public safe when We welcome the opportunity to participate in RLSS UK’s experience and help them develop this life-saving equipment in an operational beach setting.”

Robert Gouton, CEO of RLSS UK comments: “We are excited to see how this trial develops drones into equipment to support future rescuers. Drones have been around for some time and we are constantly looking at ways to use their capabilities to help keep people safe.” On our very crowded beaches.

The RNLI recently joined British Canoeing in a new safety campaign to focus on paddleboarders (and other paddle sports) after a huge increase in rescues.

Abel Caruso