Drone tested by Albany sea rescuers at Salmon Holes set to help in emergencies
Updated
The first test of drone technology to rescue people at sea in Western Australia has been hailed a success by volunteers in the Great Southern, who say it could help save lives.
The experiment, led by the Albany Sea Rescue with no government involvement, was conducted at popular fishing spot Salmon Holes in Albany — one of the WA coastline's most notorious sites for drownings.
In the past three decades, 13 people have died at the beach, with many being swept from the rocks into the ocean.
Volunteers braved the windy and overcast conditions on Saturday to locate and recover a black wetsuit using a drone and rescue craft.
Albany Sea Rescue (ASR) co-ordinator Chris Johns said drones could prove to be a game-changer, especially for regional areas.
"It's technology that can be deployed as quickly as our boats and that story alone is something that's quite unique," he said.
"When we're out there, if we've got a drone in the air the rescue boat can see exactly what the drone is seeing, so while we're searching we can direct the jet skis or the boats."
Drone to fill in for choppers
The drone and equipment, worth about $20,000, is privately owned by ASR member Brad Harkup, who is an officially accredited unmanned-aerial-vehicle operator.
Mr Johns said combining the drone technology with other rescue equipment would help ASR maximise its efficiency.
"Albany Sea Rescue has $1 million worth of boats, there's a lot of technology on these boats," he said.
"We believe drone technology is another advancing piece of technology that we should be embracing."
Mr Johns also dismissed concerns that drones could get in the way and become problematic during rescue operations.
"We're remote, we don't get chopper support here that often ... so [the drone] will be deployed in a period where there's the chance of saving a life or finding what we're looking for," he said.
"If a rescue helicopter or fixed wing comes down, we put it [the drone] on the ground, it's that simple."
Mr Johns said the weekend trial was a timely opportunity to iron out any problems with the technology in preparation for the Easter long weekend.
Topics: emergency-incidents, emergency-planning, volunteers, computers-and-technology, albany-6330, wa
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