A DRONE is helping to patrol Trigg Beach.
Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club will be supported with accurate aerial version and surveillance technology as part of a national roll out of lifesaving drones.
The club hosted a fundraising barbecue on Saturday where people could see the drone up close.
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READ NOWIt is part of a partnership between Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and Westpac, which aims to enhance lifesavers’ capacity to deliver critical response surveillance when needed.
The drones can be rapidly deployed and relay vision with pin-point accuracy to spot rips, marine creatures and distressed swimmers.
Surf Life Saving WA general manager Chris Peck said it would complement its existing drone patrol program.
“Surf Life Saving WA has been at the forefront of implementing drones into patrol operations at a club level, and this partnership with Westpac will enhance our existing drone operations and assist in the program’s expansion into the future,” he said.
“The improved situational awareness that drones can add to other localised surveillance activity such as beach patrols, will also complement the regional role performed by our Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter service, proving them an invaluable lifesaving asset.”
The drones will also operate at Mullaloo, Cottesloe, Leighton and Secret Harbour beaches, City Beach and Smiths Beach and Meelup in the south west.