Surf Life Saving NSW partnership explores potential of drone technology in emergencies

The potential benefits of drone operations in emergency response continues to be explored with a partnership between Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) and Babcock Australasia (Babcock) looking at a series of short and long-term goals for the lifesaving technology.

SLSNSW Chief Executive, Steve Pearce noted “proactive and reactive missions, such as search and rescue, will benefit from greater operational agility, real-time data collection, and increased reach.

“This will substantially improve detection, response times and success rates in both localised and large-scale incidents.

“The partnership will modernise and extend the capabilities of Surf Life Saving’s coastal and emergency response operations.”

An MOU signed on 10th April proposes, at its core, the potential to enhance the air observation and intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Australian Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Service (AUAVS) - SLSNSW’s drone services arm - for search and rescue, environmental monitoring and maritime operations.

Babcock, a trusted platform provider in the fields of defence, aviation and critical services, aiding the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces, among other clients, will also work to support and boost existing service deliveries and expand operations into the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) space.

AUAVS Manager, James Bassam notes “this partnership presents some really exciting opportunities for the Australian UAV Service to continue to harness and expand the potential of drones as a lifesaving device.

“Perhaps most exciting is that this doesn’t just mean along the coastline either.  

“It’s an opportunity for us to enhance the scale and quality of our existing services, but also push ourselves into the next phase of operations and expand beyond lifesaving services, which hopefully will put us at the forefront of drone-enabled disaster management and emergency response.”

In leveraging Babcock’s long-range Remote Pilot Aircraft System (RPAS), the AUAVS is well-positioned to take the learnings from the NSW Government-funded ‘Long Range UAV Project’ – which most notably included a week-long testing phase of the effectiveness of various operating systems in key drone operations in mid-2023 – and progress naturally through to the next phase of development.

Recent initiatives such as the Drone in a Box (DIAB) capability have aimed to position the AUAVS for long term deployment of a comprehensive and multi-purpose Long Range BVLOS capability.

Babcock now takes on a major role in this process, both in the immediate future and longer term. 

The AUAVS stands to benefit from modernised and expanded coastal capabilities. In search and rescue response specifically, this will manifest as greater operational agility, real-time data collection, and increased reach.

On a broader level, the pathway to further evolution also intends to position the AUAVS as a national disaster prevention asset.

Babcock Australasia Chief Executive, Andrew Cridland added “we know how important surveillance along our beaches and waterways can be, particularly in summer, so we welcome the opportunity to partner with AUAVS and utilise our aviation expertise to develop and deliver transformative long-range technologies and services that will help save lives.

“It forms part of Babcock’s commitment to creating a safe and secure world, together.”

Image. Announcement made in front of Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club. Credit: Surf Life Saving NSW