Leading the Way in UAV Coastal Surveillance

SLSNSW is the largest UAV coastal surveillance operator within the Southern Hemisphere delivering advanced shark/marine coastal surveillance services on behalf of the  NSW Government to the community of NSW since 2017. It has been awarded numerous industry awards at the Australian Aviation Awards, including being named a three time winner of the UAV Business of the Year recognising the organisation’s excellence nationally.
While reducing the risk of shark interactions remains the primary objective, UAV operations provide far broader public safety benefits. UAV surveillance enables early detection of rip currents, swimmers in distress and other coastal hazards, supporting proactive warnings and faster, better-informed responses to protect the community.

Government Response to 2026 Shark Incidents

In response to a spate of serious shark attack incidents in January 2026, (including 1 fatality) the NSW Government (via the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), announced on January 25th 2026 a significant uplift in funding and capability for SLSNSW to expand the strategy for shark UAV surveillance, to make the NSW Shark Surveillance Program the largest of its kind globally.

A sandy beach scene with a yellow warning sign in the foreground reading “BEACH CLOSED – Dangerous Surf.” Behind the sign, a red-and-yellow Surf Life Saving NSW tent is set up near the shoreline with two empty chairs underneath. To the right, a person wearing a red and yellow shirt labeled “UAV PILOT” on the back stands on the sand, operating a remote controller and facing the ocean. A white drone with multiple propellers hovers in mid-air in front of the person. The background shows choppy waves, a cloudy sky, and low green vegetation along the dune.

Event Water Safety – Surfing & Sporting Events

Surf Life Saving NSW’s is committed to ensuring that athletes competing in their events are afforded the highest possible level of safety. UAVs offer an added aerial dimension to safety surveillance and a dynamic capability to respond to any incidents that might arise. The Australian UAV Service (AUAVS) is engaged as part of the Event Water Safety Team to provide specialist pilots to support coastal safety at these events.

This requires working in cooperation with a team of professional lifeguards to maintain a presence both on the water, in the air and on the beach. The AUAVS forms the ‘Aerial Patrol’ element of the Water Safety Team. Our role is to provide advance notification and intelligence on the presence of any hazardous marine life within the vicinity of the athletes and monitor general safety to allow direct and efficient response as required.

Organisations that AUAVS has provided aerial surveillance for include:

  • World Surf League
  • Surfing Australia
  • Surfing NSW
  • Cole Classic Manly Beach
  • The Big Swim Whale Beach
  • Australian Surf Rower’s League
  • SLSNSW State Championships
  • SLSNSW Country Championships
  • SLSNSW IRB Series
  • SLSNSW Community Education