Rescue drones deployed across Townsville and Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island residents will be assured an eye in the sky this week, with the deployment of a new Westpac Life Saver Rescue Drone.
Townsville
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MAGNETIC Island swimmers will have an eye in the sky this week, with the deployment of a new lifesaver rescue drone.
Additional drones will be deployed across Townsville in coming months, as part of a partnership between Westpac and Surf Life Saving Australia.
The drones will provide additional support for lifesavers and lifeguards on Magnetic Island and Townsville, patrolling Picnic Bay, Acadian Beach and The Strand beach.
The drones can be rapidly deployed, relaying vision with pinpoint accuracy to spot rips and distressed swimmers as well as monitoring marine life such as sharks and crocodiles.
Trained lifeguards and lifesavers in Queensland will operate the drones throughout the year.
More than 2800 rescues and 701,000 preventive actions were undertaken by Surf Life Saving Queensland in the 2017/18 season.
Surf Life Saving Queensland Acting Lifeguard Supervisor Scott Mellor said the new drones would help to protect more people than ever before.
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Originally published as Rescue drones deployed across Townsville and Magnetic Island
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