In a constantly changing world, the 64th Genoa Boat Show was the launchpad for an innovative initiative in the field of nautical rescue, with the presentation of the Safety Drone by Veleria San Giorgio.
The result of a collaboration between Veleria San Giorgio, Human Drone Team and the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa, the Safety Drone is not only an innovation in rescue at sea, but also a clear example of how the combination of technology and safety can contribute significantly to the protection of human life.
What is the Safety Drone?
The Safety Drone by Veleria San Giorgio is a cutting-edge device made in Italy. Not only is it designed to revolutionise rescue operations, it also constitutes an extraordinary example of how technology can support safety at sea. The Safety Drone is designed to operate quickly and effectively in emergency situations.
The drone can be airborne in minutes, search for and locate the individual using a thermal camera and, if necessary, deliver a life jacket as an initial step.
How the Safety Drone works
The installation of an inflatable life jacket, a VHF radio communication system, a safety light and a thermal camera allows the drone to reach the required location very quickly.
The drone is not only able to fly a distance of 3 – 6 kilometres, it can also operate in adverse weather conditions, including light rain and hail. The ability to be airborne in just 3 minutes from the alert represents a significant step forward compared to traditional rescue methods.
An innovative rescue system
The drone is waterproof and highly adaptable, designed to handle difficult weather conditions. The technical specifications – with IP67 certification of water resistance and a flight duration of up to 28 minutes – highlight its extremely high-level capabilities. It can be fitted with a thermal camera stabilised on three axes for excellent image transmission.
Another interesting aspect is the drone’s floating design, which removes the need to manually recover it in the event of a fall. In fact, the drone can land and take off directly from the water, operating even in medium to large wave conditions.
In addition, the drone’s internal electronics are treated to withstand corrosion caused by salt, making the device suitable for even the most hostile marine environments. It has been tested in extreme conditions, such as take-offs and landings with high waves and strong gusts of wind, demonstrating its operational reliability.
Technical features
One of the key features of the Safety Drone is the GC3-T thermal camera, which allows the identification of people in difficulty even in poor visibility, enabling rapid and targeted intervention.
With a precision of +/- 6 degrees, the device provides excellent night visibility, increasing the chances of saving human lives. The camera is designed to work perfectly in dark and foggy conditions by activating a high-quality image sensor that gives excellent video resolution.
The inflatable life jacket, with ISO 12402-3 certification, is specifically designed for rescue situations. Its 150N buoyancy ensures that people in difficulty can float safely on the surface of the water until help arrives.
Easy to wear over many types of clothing and designed for use in open sea conditions, this jacket is an additional layer of safety in any emergency rescue.
Innovation and safety at sea
In addition to its technical features, two important aspects of the Safety Drone are attention to detail and usability. The design takes the needs of those who operate at sea into account, facilitating a rapid and safe response in emergency situations. Moreover, Veleria San Giorgio is working to obtain official certifications, setting new standards in nautical rescue.
With more than 500 life jacket releases and over 280 hours of test flight under stress, the Safety Drone has demonstrated operational efficiency and the capacity to operate in the most challenging circumstances.
The inclusion of the most advanced technologies led to the creation of a complete system which promises to revolutionise rescue operations at sea.
At last, the route to a safer and more responsible future in the nautical sector seems certain, with this innovative device destined to become a real game changer in nautical rescue.