Surf Life Saving NSW has expanded its drone fleet to include newer models which have the ability to assist in night rescues.
The ten new drones have infrared technology, thermal imaging scanning, weather resistance and are able to travel further than the previous model.
The improved technology means surf life savers can conduct rescues at night and in floodwaters.
The Australian Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Service (AUAVS) currently operates a drone surveillance program along the NSW coastline.
AUAVS chief remote pilot Paul Hardy said the drones got on the scene “really quickly”.
“It’s still used for day to day beach operations… we are also using it for rock fishermen,” Hardy said.
Surf life savers have used the new drones to conduct 26 night searches with NSW Police, mostly looking for missing people off the coast.
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“They’re not just used for missing people, there might be a vessel that’s lost power and is drifting to shore,” he said.
They were first used to assist towns in the NSW Floods last year.
“There were towns that had never seen surf life savers before, having red and yellow there for weeks.”
The drones are kept in patrol vehicles and are ready to be used along the coast.
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