Media releases
Westpac partners with Surf Life Saving Australia to put more eyes in the sky over Aussie coastline this summer
17 December, 2018
- 51 Westpac Life Saver Rescue Drones to be rolled out across the country – from Cottesloe to Cairns, Broome to Bondi – over the summer patrol period.
- With over 10,000 rescues and 1.5 million preventative actions undertaken by Surf Life Saving Australia last season , the program will assist in providing safety support to surf lifesavers at beaches around the country.
- This first national drone program will provide hardware, training, research and development to protect more Australian lives.
- New program complements Westpac's three year trial of Westpac Little Ripper Lifesaver drones in NSW and QLD, and 45 year partnership with Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.
Over 50 drones will roll out across Australian beaches nationally this summer thanks to a partnership between Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and Westpac. The program will be Australia’s first comprehensive national approach to surf rescue using innovative drone technology, giving surf lifesavers more eyes in the sky at patrolled beaches around the country.
Equipping surf lifesavers with accurate aerial vision and surveillance technology, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Drones (WLSRD) can be rapidly deployed, relay vision with pin-point accuracy to spot rips and distressed swimmers, and have the potential in the future to drop buoyancy devices to assist swimmers until help arrives.
With over 10,000 rescues and 1.5 million preventative actions undertaken by SLSA in the 2017/18 season, the Westpac Life Saver Drone program will enhance Surf Life Saving’s capacity to provide rescue services at more locations along Australia’s coastline, and deliver critical response surveillance when needed.
Westpac Group CEO, Brian Hartzer said Westpac is proud to support the evolution of search and rescue services in Australia, helping beach-goers feel more confident this summer.
“This technology gives surf lifesavers more eyes in the sky to spot rips and distressed swimmers, and respond to those in need sooner.
“The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Drones will be an important support for surf lifesavers who are tirelessly dedicated to ensuring the safety of others.
“These life saving drones are an extension of our support of drone innovation via The Ripper Group, who continue to sit at the forefront of shark spotting technology, and builds on our 45 year partnership with the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, who have conducted 80,000 missions to date,” Mr Hartzer said.
Graham Ford AM, Surf Life Saving Australia President further adds, “From our research, last year we unfortunately saw 110 coastal drownings – above the 14-year average of 99, with SLSA recording a total of 163 coastal fatalities. The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Drones will be hugely beneficial to surf lifesavers to spot potential risks in the water as they happen.
“There is no better time than now to welcome new technologies that can help us protect more Australians. We’re pleased to be able to continue our relationship with Westpac beyond our work with the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service to support communities around Australia through the new Westpac Life Saver Rescue Drone program,” Mr Ford said.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Drone program is an extension of Westpac’s existing three year partnership with The Ripper Group, who has been at the forefront of search and rescue drones in Australia; having conducted extensive trialling of coastal rescue capabilities and operation of 17 Westpac Little Ripper Lifesaver drones in NSW and QLD.
The Ripper Group will act as Research and Development partner for SLSA to explore ongoing innovation of the drone technology, training for surf lifesavers, and innovation of the award-winning SharkSpotter algorithm. In partnership with Westpac, The Ripper Group will also identify the potential capabilities of drone technology beyond the beach including crocodile spotting and transporting medical equipment.
To find out more about the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Drone program visit www.westpac.com.au/rescue.
| STATE | LOCATIONS |
|---|---|
| NSW | Branch Locations (SLS branches assist state centres in administering lifesaving within that state) Far North Coast branch North Coast branch Mid North Coast branch Lower North Shore branch Hunter branch Central Coast branch Sydney Northern Beaches branch South Coast branch Sydney branch Illawarra branch Far South Coast branch Additional Locations: Coogee (Sydney branch) North Bondi (Sydney branch) Tamarama (Sydney Northern branch) Coffs Harbour to Woolgoolga (North Coast branch) Avoca and North Avoca (Central Coast branch) Terrigal (Central Coast branch) Queenscliff (Sydney Northern) |
| QLD | Cairns Mackay Mooloolaba Alexandra Headland Caloundra Noosa Sunshine Beach Southport Broadbeach Surfer Paradise Coolangatta Kirra/Tugun |
| VIC | St Kilda Frankston State mobile UAV |
| SA | Semaphore Beach Christies Beach |
| TAS | Frederick Henry Bay |
| WA | Cottesloe Fremantle South West Region - Meelup / Smiths Beach (peak holiday period) Secret Harbour City Beach Trigg Mullaloo |
| NT | Darwin |
For further information:
Amy Sassella-Otley
amy.sassellaotley@mapandpage.com.au
0400 657 117
Niki Aquino
Niki.aquino@mapandpage.com.au
0435 098 085