These newsletters aim to share updates, learnings, and guidance about our current (and future!) service deliveries. If you wish to subscribe, please email uav@surflifesaving.com.au
White Ribbon Day
Volunteer life-savers showed up in support of the White Ribbon Day event in Sydney Harbour on Friday 18th November, with 13 members of our SLSNSW Support Operations teams on jetskis joining with our friends at NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue NSW, and Port Authority NSW.
In all, 50 jetskis combined in formation to make the shape of a white ribbon in the water as part of the campaign calling for an end to all forms of gendered violence and harassment.
The aim of the event was raising awareness of White Ribbon and also PWC safety on our waterways with riders exceeded the fundraising target of $15,000, to be donated directly to White Ribbon Australia.
AUAVS were there on the day to capture the action from above, with our footage and imagery being shared on widely on social media and across the news media channels. You can check out the Instagram reel from Transport for NSW here
Service Delivery Updates
Availabilities for Summer Period
The Summer period is now fast approaching, so could we please ask that you update your unavailability in Deputy as soon as possible.
As a friendly reminder, locations between Fingal Rovers SLSC and Yamba SLSC will operate from Saturday the 10th of December till Sunday the 29th of January, the roster for these locations will be released by COB Friday the 2nd of December.
All other locations will operate from Saturday the 17th of December till Sunday the 29th of January, the roster for these locations will be released by COB Friday the 9th of December. Reminder: The Garie location will be moving to Watamolla.
Use Outside Paid Periods
If you are a member of your local SLSC, and are appropriately qualified and refreshed, AUAVS would like to remind you that UAVs can be used outside of DPI operational periods, in consultation with your Branch and/or SLSC.
CASA Know Your Drone Newsletter
The Australian UAV Service was featured in the November 2022 CASA ‘Know Your Drone’ newsletter. The article titled Drones leading flood management tactics gives an insight into the type of work and challenges faced by our pilots whilst working with the SES in the flood zones. You can read the newsletter here
If you haven’t already, you can sign up to the CASA ‘Know Your Drone’ newsletter by following the subscribe link on this webpage.
Apple AirTag UAV Tracking Project
With the recent introduction of Airtags for UAV kit tracking, the AUAVS team would like to make staff and volunteers aware of the SLSNSW GPS asset tracking policy.
The purpose of this policy is to set out a framework for the application of GPS tracking in our vehicles and equipment.
The document includes information and advice on issues relating to the following:
- Management, operation, and maintenance of SLSNSW GPS assets tracking.
- Removal, tampering and damage to GPS tracker.
- Access to tracking.
- Responsibilities under the policy.
The GPS asset tracking policy can be found in Teams, UAV Pilots & Operators, Standard Operating Procedures, in the Policies folder. If you are a volunteer and would like a copy of the policy, please email uav@surflifesaving.com.au
Search & Rescue
Our UAV’s are being regular tasked in Search and Rescue operations (SAR) along the coast and inland, Over the past 3 months we’ve seen a marked increase for requests to provide a UAV and operator for SAR specific operations.
We’re currently seeking expressions on interest from Pilots and Operators keen to be involved in SAR on a voluntary basis, along the lines of the Surf Life Saving Club and Branch call out team models.
If you’re interested in becoming part of the UAV Search and Rescue call out team, please complete this short survey here.
Please note: Your attendance to any call out is not mandatory and you are not expected to attend taskings if you are unable to.
New UAV Instructors
01 new UAV instructors graduated the ‘Train the Trainer’ course in Ballina during November. With the candidates hailing from as far away as Sydney, this will see an increase in our capacity to to offer more positions in the Operator Induction Program (OIP), in turn lifting the numbers of volunteers trained in UAV operations along our coastline.
Congratulations to our new Instructors on this achievement, we look forward to seeing your first OIP courses being run and the many new operators you train joining our ranks.
Brunswick Heads Emergency Services Expo
Along with members of the Brunswick Heads SLSC and SLS Support Operations, the Australian UAV Service recently attended the Emergency Services Expo at Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour.
Members of the public were able to get up close and personal with the emergency services present on the day. With Red Cross, NSW Ambulance, NSW Police, RFS NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue and AUAVS all present, there was plenty for the public to see and do.
More Images From The White Ribbon Day Event
