WARRNAMBOOL Surf Lifesaving Club captain David Owen says new technology, such as drones on beaches, could help save lives.
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Mr Owen said if the club had access to drones their response times would be shorter and it would mean eyes in areas that are often blind to lifesavers, including Stingray Bay.
“Any technology like that would help fourfold,” he said.
Mr Owen’s comments come after state opposition announced that if elected they would provide $400,000 over four years to purchase the drone units and provide operator training for up to 100 lifesavers.
In New South Wales and Queensland Westpac Little Ripper Drones drones provide a birds-eye view for lifesavers and drop floatation aids to swimmers in distress.
The drones are also capable of automatically distinguishing between swimmers, boats, sharks and stingrays.
Mr Owen said over the summer period some swimmers had gotten into trouble in rips and around The Flume and the drones could have greatly assisted the lifeguards.
“It would take some urgency out of it,” he said.
“We have 111 patrol members and we also look after about 300 nippers.
“We’re a very busy and progressive club and we’re very happy to have the support from Roma.
“I mean we’re talking lives here.”
South West Coast MP Roma Britnell said the Surf Lifesaving Club did such an enormous job and the technology was available to support the volunteers in the roles that they did.
She said Warrnambool was lucky to have such committed volunteers who gave up the best part of the day to help others.
“Every drowning is a tragedy and one is too many,” she said. “Our surf lifesavers in Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland already do a fantastic job keeping swimmers safe and out of trouble.
“But they need to have the very best and latest equipment and I’m committed to giving our volunteer lifesavers the tools they need to keep up their fantastic work.
“Giving swimmers in trouble something to hold on to while they wait for help to arrive could be the difference between a successful rescue and another tragic statistic.”
Under the commitment, Lifesaving Victoria would operate and deploy the drones from beaches around Victoria. There were 21 recorded drowning deaths on Victorian beaches this summer.
I mean we’re talking lives here.
- David Owen