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Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Babcock to explore greater use of long-range drone technology.
The agreement will see the two organisations look into using drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) to modernise SLSNSW’s coastal operations and “radically transform the state’s surf lifesaving operations into a broader national asset for disaster prevention, response, and recovery”.
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“Primary areas of focus will include improving air observation and intelligence-gathering capabilities for search and rescue, environmental monitoring, shark watch, national disaster relief RPAS services and maritime operations that mitigate the need for traditional rotary wing operations,” they said in a media release.
“Babcock and SLSNSW, via its subsidiary Australian UAV Service (AUAVS), will now jointly evaluate potential long-range technology platforms to meet requirements, with suitable solutions progressed through to testing, initially along the NSW Central Coast.”
SLSNSW chief executive Steve Pearce said the partnership would “modernise and extend the capabilities of Surf Life Saving’s coastal and emergency response operations”.
“Proactive and reactive missions, such as search and rescue, will benefit from greater operational agility, real-time data collection, and increased reach,” he said.
“This will substantially improve detection, response times and success rates in both localised and large-scale incidents.”
Babcock Australasia chief executive Andrew Cridland added that the partnership represents a “huge opportunity”.
“Combining our complementary skills and capabilities for emergency management response means we will be able to respond more frequently and with greater levels of service to our customers,” he said.
“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.”
The partnership with SLSNSW comes as the first of two new Babcock helicopters begins operating in the Torres Strait with Queensland Health.
The Leonardo AW139 helicopters replace two existing B412 aircraft and will operate from Babcock’s Horn Island base, with the first coming into service at the end of last month.
Babcock, which won Rotary Wing Business of the Year at the 2024 Australian Aviation Awards, is also upgrading its hangar on Horn Island.
The new helicopters offer faster speeds and extended range, as well as better night search capabilities, higher weight capacity, climate control for improved comfort, and a power loader stretcher for smoother transfers. They also feature a unique “dragonfly” livery by Indigenous artist Alick Tipoti.
