Great Sight! Drones keeping beachgoers safe
The Queenslander Staff
Why worry what lurks beneath when drone technology can make us all feel safe when enjoying Queensland’s beaches?
Due to a $7.75 million investment by the Queensland Government – and some smart technology developed by the state’s aerospace industry – beachgoers can feel safer than ever that their swim, surf or snorkel won’t end up as a horror headline.
The SharkSmart drone trial, a collaboration between the Queensland Government and Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ), is being rolled out across some of the state’s most popular beaches.
During Phase 1 of the trial, which began in September 2020 in South East Queensland and was later extended to North Queensland in 2021, drones were used to detect sharks and gather data on their movements and behaviour.
If a dangerous shark was spotted, the drone pilots immediately alerted the lifesavers on patrol to warn water users and temporarily close the beach if necessary. During the trial, 3,669 drone flights were conducted, covering a distance of 1,468km, with 174 sharks sighted, including 48 large sharks estimated at over 2m in length.
In four instances, the drones were used to close down locations at Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Burleigh Beach to protect swimmers from the potential risk. The drones were also used to rescue swimmers caught in rips and assist in missing person searches, highlighting the versatility of the technology as a holistic beach safety tool.
SLSQ Chief Executive Officer, Dave Whimpey, praised the technology and its ability to enhance the work of surf lifesavers.
“Shark spotting drones are a 21st-century solution that gives our lifesavers more capacity to spot and monitor sharks, thereby enhancing the safety of water users,” he said.
The trial will continue until 2025 across several locations in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Minjerribah, Rainbow Beach, and Townsville.
But the SharkSmart drone trial is just one example of Queensland’s aerospace industry leading the way in innovation. Aerospace has been identified as one of Queensland’s priority industries, playing a crucial role in diversifying the state’s economy and ensuring Queenslanders have access to future job opportunities.
Queensland’s aerospace industry is positioning the Sunshine State as a leading centre in Australia and Southeast Asia for aerospace innovation in areas such as training, niche manufacturing, aircraft technology, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), and sustainable aviation fuels.
The aerospace industry is playing an essential role in Queensland’s economy, and the SharkSmart drone trial is a fantastic example of how the industry is contributing to community safety.
