NEWS
UK search and rescue drone trial under way
The use of drones to help in search and rescue operations around the UK is being trialled.
The year-long study is taking place off the coast of Essex and will involve the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the RNLI and Essex Police’s Drone Unit.
The MCA has already stressed that drones will not replace coastguard helicopters, rescue teams, the RNLI or independent lifeboats. But, it said it was ‘entirely possible that they [drones] could be an additional tool to use in search and rescue and enhance our existing capabilities.’
At the end of the pilot scheme, the impact of the drones on coastal search and rescue activities will be assessed to find out if unmanned aerial vehicles, known as UAVs, have a future in RNLI and MCA operations.
HM Coastguard Teams from Walton, Clacton, Mersea Island, South Woodham Ferrers, Southend and Canvey Island will be involved in the trial, supported by inshore and all-weather lifeboats and hovercraft crews strategically located at six RNLI lifeboat stations along the Essex coastline.
The MCA’s aviation technical assurance manager, Phil Hanson said the pilot will examine if innovative technology can help rescuers on the front line with ‘more accurate aerial vision, conduct searches in hard to reach areas, assist with night time thermal imagery searches and relaying messages to casualties.’
‘This will allow
