The drone service is is being tested at Crantock Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, as part of an operational lifeguard service. 

The trial is being carried out by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and the RNLI, with drones developed by Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI). 

The drones, manufactured by Swell Pro, are waterproof and capable of improving observation of people in the water, broadcasting pre-recorded and live messages via a Tannoy system, and have the potential to deploy lifesaving equipment such as inflatable buoys. 

“The River Gannel that runs through the middle of Crantock Beach makes access across the broad expanse of beach and to the water’s edge difficult for our patrol vehicles,” said Peter Dawes, RNLI lifeguard operations manager. 

“The drone will allow the lifeguards to undertake rapid observations across a wide area, and the integrated speaker system allows the lifeguards to help inform and give proactive safety advice to the public.”