A dramatic rescue at Lennox Head on the North Coast has made world history after new drone technology was used to save two swimmers struggling in heavy surf.
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Lifeguards were training to familiarise themselves with the drone equipment as part of the NSW government's $16 million shark mitigation strategy on Thursday when a call came through about two distressed swimmers.
Lifeguard supervisor Jai Sheridan, the 2017 NSW Lifeguard of the Year, was piloting the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the time, immediately responded and was able to locate the swimmers within minutes of the initial alert.
"The Little Ripper UAV certainly proved itself today, it is an amazingly efficient piece of lifesaving equipment and a delight to fly," Mr Sheridan said.
"I was able to launch it, fly it to the location, and drop the pod all in about one to two minutes. On a normal day that would have taken our lifeguards a few minutes longer to reach the members of the public."
Westpac Little Ripper chief executive Eddie Bennet said the rescue shows Australia is leading the world in this technology and it "clearly illustrates the benefit of this cutting-edge technology in such a time-critical emergency situation."
"The investment by Westpac in allowing the development of the Westpac Little Ripper, is the new generation of rescue services," Mr Bennet said.
In December 2017, the NSW government announced it would invest $430,000 in drone technology as part of a trial on the North Coast of NSW.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, said Thursday's rescue proves that the government's investment is paying off.
"It's quite incredible to see that the NSW Government's investment in this technology has already resulted in two people having their lives saved," Mr Barilaro said.
"Never before has a drone, fitted with a flotation device been used to rescue swimmers like this."
Both swimmers were able to use the pod to make their way to shore, where they were met by lifeguards and only appeared to show signs of fatigue.
Ben Franklin, Parliamentary Secretary for Northern NSW, thanked the lifeguards for their incredible efforts.
"It took only 70 seconds from when the Little Ripper drone was launched to when it dropped the pod into the ocean for the rescue, a task that would usually take a lifeguard up to six minutes to complete," Mr Franklin said.
"This was an extraordinary rescue with the very best possible outcome."
