Flanders to test the use of a drone to support rescue operations at sea
From the summer, Flanders will be using a drone for the first time to support rescue operations at sea. The drone will be deployed to detect small boats and the victims of shipwrecks, as well as to locate cases of maritime environmental pollution. The drone will be deployed as part of a European pilot project involving both Belgium and France.
The project that will run from 13 May to 13 September, is being coordinated by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Here in Belgium, the Flemish Maritime and Coastal Services Agency (MDK) is responsible for monitoring the drone.
The drone will be tested for 20 hours a week above the sea off the coast of West Flanders. In a response to a parliamentary question tabled by the Flemish nationalist member of the Flemish Parliament Bert Maertens, the Flemish Transport Minister Lydia Peeters (liberal) said that other countries, including our French neighbours are participating in the pilot project.
Mr Maertens told VRT News that "The drone will be able to detect small boats, shipwrecks and objects that are floating on the sea”.
"In the event of an incident, it will be used to analyse the damage sustained by a vessel. The possibility of using a drone for maritime search and rescue operations will also be tested".
The Flemish Maritime and Coastal Services Agency says that the drone can also be used to detect pollution in the North Sea.