By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Ocean County Sheriff’s Office personnel used a drone equipped with a flotation device to assist swimmers in distress on July 17, demonstrating the evolving capability of unmanned aircraft in search and rescue operations.
- Detective Patrick Kennedy deployed the drone carrying a “restube” while rescue crews were en route to the swimmers’ location, remotely releasing the flotation device into the water.
- The sheriff’s office has maintained drone capabilities for several years but recently equipped the aircraft with water rescue technology to expand operational capabilities during marine emergency responses.
- All swimmers were safely brought to shore following deployment of the flotation device and arrival of rescue personnel.
- Detective Kennedy stated the rescue capability validates the investment in drone technology for emergency response operations.
OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. — Ocean County Sheriff’s Office personnel successfully deployed a drone-mounted flotation device to assist swimmers showing signs of distress on July 17, expanding the agency’s use of unmanned aircraft for water rescue operations.
Dispatchers received reports of swimmers experiencing difficulty in the water. Detective Patrick Kennedy, responding to the emergency call, deployed a department drone equipped with a flotation device known as a “restube” while rescue crews were en route to the swimmers’ location.
Kennedy piloted the drone to the swimmers’ position and remotely released the flotation device into the water, providing immediate support before rescue personnel arrived at the scene. The intervention enabled rescuers to safely recover the swimmers and bring them to shore.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office has maintained drone technology for several years. Department officials recently expanded the aircraft’s equipment configuration to include water rescue capabilities, permitting deployment of flotation devices during marine emergency responses.
Kennedy characterized the incident as validation of the drone program’s value in emergency situations. “Words can’t describe how important this is. It saves one life? It’s worth it,” Kennedy stated. The sheriff’s office indicated the successful rescue demonstrates the practical application of emerging technology in life-saving operations.