Maritime and Coastguard Agency tests drone technology for use in coastal search and rescue operations

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is leading work with the Civil Aviation Authority on how remotely piloted aircraft (drone) technology can be used in the demanding environment of search and rescue.

HM Coastguard is the search and rescue service of the MCA, which continues to look to the future of operations in the UK.

Test flights have been carried out using the Elbit Systems Hermes 900 as part of a programme of events in West Wales.

In partnership, the MCA and Elbit Systems UK are exploring how the use of remotely piloted aircraft could support the work of HM Coastguard.

This is in addition to ongoing evaluations being carried out by Bristow Helicopters in North Wales evaluating a remotely piloted aircraft in simulated and recently real-time search and rescue operations.

Although the Hermes 900 isn’t currently being used in live operations in the UK, it will be flying in the colours of HM Coastguard and the assessment will further add to the ongoing work around using future technology in its work.

Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes said: “We continue to do all we can to use existing technology as well as look to the future in our ongoing work of saving lives at sea.

“Remotely piloted aircraft continue to be a big part of that work both to potentially save lives in search and rescue and protect our beautiful coastlines from the worst effects of pollution.”