It took New York City ages to get over its aversion to drones, but now that it has its leaders are pushing for their deployment in expanding numbers – including helping beach lifeguards reach drowning victims faster.
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New York state officials are providing funding for additional drones to monitor downstate beaches following a series of shark attacks off NYC and Long Island weekend and vacation spots, and the frenzy of news coverage those produced.
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The best way to stay safe from sharks is to spot them as early as possible. Surf Life Saving NSW has been working with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) trailing AI technology for detecting sharks in the waters off New South Wales, Australia. The trials have spanned over the last three years and came to an end this month.
Around the world, and especially in Australia, lifeguards are using drones to spot for sharks and to deliver lifevests or personal flotation devices (PFD’s) to swimmers and surfers in need. In most of these cases larger and more expensive commercial drones are used. Not in this case, however, where creative lifeguards decided to use a regular DJI Mavic Pro. The drone is equipped with a bait release system, commonly used by fishermen, that releases the PFD when the drone reaches the swimmer or surfer in need. Basic, inexpensive and it gets the job done. Bravo!
A 22-year-old man, an international tourist, drowned on Wednesday while swimming near Fingal Beach in Northern New South Wales, Australia. For the first time, drones played a role in retrieving the body from the ocean.
About a week ago a drone spots an enormous great white shark in Esperance, Western Australia. This is not the first time we’ve seen this. Drones are being used more and more to keep people safe. Earlier in November, we reported on drones being used to patrol the beaches in Perth Australia. And in Queensland, Australia the Surf Lifesaving organization is using drones to patrol the beaches after crocodile attacks.
