Tag: drone technology

RLSS UK Deploys Drone Technology to Support Water Safety Rescues

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) is launching the UK’s first water rescue Emergency Drone Piloting Award.

The water safety and lifeguarding experts, have partnered with innovative Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and Drone specialists Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI) to create a unique water rescue award, launching this month. 

The Emergency Response Drone Pilot Award offers candidates the opportunity to learn the skills, technical knowledge and legalities of using and operating a drone to assist with water-based rescues.

The drones are fully waterproof, specially designed for rescues and can find a person in difficulty and deploy a torpedo buoy or inflatable lifesaving device, allowing precious time for a lifeguard or Emergency Services to reach the casualty. 

The course content is Civil Aviation Authority approved and covers; rules and regulations of formal drone flying in the UK, practical drone flying techniques and the lifesaving skills required to perform emergency actions with a drone that preserves life until rescuers arrive. 

Upon completion, candidates will receive three accreditations: a CAA A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 C of C), a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVA) and a RLSS UK Emergency Response Drone Pilot Award. 

RLSS UK was established more than 130 years ago and is acknowledged worldwide as an expert in lifeguarding and water safety. They have a proud history of helping to reduce the number of lives lost to drowning and sharing their lifesaving knowledge to save lives and ensure everyone can enjoy water safely.

Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI) are a unique company within the still fledgling Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). They are the longest-running RPAS Academy in the UK, with unrivalled experience -including RAF trained instructors with over 70+ years combined and Military Search and Rescue qualified instructors.

EEI is responsible for training much of the UK’s police force and other emergency services.

Robert Gofton, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: “We are excited to be partnering with EEI on this pioneering new rescue award.

“Concerningly accidental water-related deaths increased in 2021. If using the latest technologies, such as drones, can preserve life until rescuers can reach a casualty, it can only lead to saving more lives and stopping families from suffering tragedy of losing a loved one.”

Sion Roberts, Managing Director, EEI, said: “The partnership we have established with the RLSS UK brings an exceptional team that can emphasise and educate the disruptive capability of Remotely Piloted technology, through professional training processes and world-class instructors.

The flying skills and knowledge that the candidates will learn from the course will add a unique and lifesaving capability to their existing skillsets. It’s another great example of using Drones for Good”.

Tony Weston, who attended the trial course, said: “Wow – what a week, learning a new life skill – flying a drone that could aid the saving of lives! The experience was memorable, and the training team were excellent.”

The award is ideally suited to Emergency Services – Fire Rescue and Police, Local Authorities, Open Water Venues, Triathlon Clubs, Canal & River Trusts, Landowners, River Rescue, Search & Rescue companies. The first course is on Monday 25 – Friday 29 April 2022 at RLSS UK’s headquarters in Worcester.

For more information, please visit www.rlss.org.uk/emergency-response-drone-pilot-award

For more information on RLSS UK:

Visit our website at rlss.org.uk 

Follow us on Twitter – @RLSSUK

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK 

Call – 0300 323 0096

SP Energy Networks utilises pioneering drone technology to inspect transmission network

SP Energy Networks is making the switch to modern drone technology to inspect its transmission network, delivering environmental benefits and reducing costs.

The electricity network provider had previously relied solely on helicopters to visually assess the towers on its transmission network.

However, following a successful trial period last year, a fleet of drones is now carrying out condition-based assessments across the SP Transmission network, which covers Central and Southern Scotland.

The drones are helping to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, contributing to SP Energy Networks’ drive towards Net Zero emissions targets.

Leading drone-based inspection firm Cyberhawk has been awarded the contract to carry out these inspections, utilising its iHawk software to collect data against 85 different points on the towers. This allows SP Transmission to assess any network risk and inform future investment, enhancing network resilience, integrity and security – ultimately keeping the lights on.

Pearse Murray, Transmission Director for SP Energy Networks, said: “It’s a massive undertaking to complete the regular inspection of the many towers on our transmission network but the drone technology represents a significant step forward for a number of reasons.

“Firstly, it’s hugely beneficial for the environment and the imagery we obtain is of a high standard due to the flexibility of the drones in assessing tower conditions, meaning we can make even more informed decisions.

“Following the successful trial, we also realised that the drones dramatically minimise the impacts on landowners and make it much easier to arrange access to land when we require it.”

Edinburgh-based Cyberhawk has secured a contract until the end of 2022 for the condition-based inspection work through a competitive tender process.

Chris Fleming, Cyberhawk CEO, said: “By partnering with Cyberhawk, SP Energy Networks has chosen a more environmentally conscious solution for inspecting its electrical network and structures, supporting its commitment to significant emissions reductions, while returning more accurate results through our state-of-the-art drone inspection technology and iHawk software.

“This has also assisted SP Energy Networks in maintaining critical inspection services throughout the coronavirus pandemic, helping to keep the lights on for millions of customers in the UK and ensuring safe operations across its network.”

Due to the success of the partnership with Cyberhawk, SP Transmission is also expanding its own fleet of drones to assist with network risk assessment and planning.

SP Energy Networks is part of the ScottishPower group, a Principal Partner for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow later this year. It is developing an energy model that will play a significant role in reaching the UK’s world-leading climate change targets and is investing a total of £10bn in the clean energy generation and networks infrastructure needed to help the UK decarbonise and reach Net Zero emissions.

SP Energy Networks owns and manages overhead and underground powerlines in Central and Southern Scotland as well as Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and North Shropshire.

For more information on SP Energy Networks, please visit: 

www.spenergynetworks.co.uk