Futuristic unmanned technology normally used for military
operations could soon be monitoring bathers and sharks off
Australian beaches. The project will test the effectiveness of
unmanned flying drones as a surf lifesaving tool. A three-month
trial on Queensland’s North Stradbroke Island is expected to
start in September, with lifesavers hopeful the drones will be
rolled out nationally. “This robotic drone program is an
exciting innovation,” Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Brett
Williamson said. “This technology can be applied to a range of …
scientific areas such as monitoring erosion, bush fires and
tracking shark movements, and allows us to spot a swimmer in
trouble before something serious occurs. “There’s an old saying
in surf life saving – ‘if we can’t see you, we can’t save you’,”
Mr Williamson said. The drone technology isn’t designed to be a
replacement for surf patrols. About the size of a large model
aeroplane, the drone is not intrusive, is cost effective and can
operate at different hours than he