Coalition pledges to buy lifesaving drones

THE Victorian Coalition is going after the lifesaving vote, pledging to buy 15 drones if it wins this year’s state election.

Earlier this month, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Brad Battin announced an elected Liberal National government would purchase $400,000 over four years to purchase the drones and provide operator training for up to 100 lifesavers.

Westpac Little Ripper drones presently operate in New South Wales and Queensland, providing a bird’s eye view of rips and other hazards and dropping floatation aids to swimmers in distress.

The drones flew about 2,500 missions in those two states and were involved in more than 80 rescues this summer.

Using cutting-edge computer software, these drones can automatically distinguish between swimmers, boats, sharks and even stingrays.

Lifesaving Victoria would operate and deploy the drones from beaches across Victoria.

“This is about keeping swimmers safe on our beaches and mitigating risks posed to volunteer lifesavers,” Mr Battin said.

“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.

“Our hardworking volunteer lifesavers patrol our beaches and risk their own lives to save others.”