TEKEVER has confirmed the successful deployment of a lifeboat from its AR5 drone as part of a search and rescue exercise conducted by the Italian Coast Guard, in partnership with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). With fully automatic operation, sensors onboard the drone enable the detection of vessels or humans on the water.
Using artificial intelligence, the drone calculates the optimal time to release the lifeboat close to the vessel or person in distress without human intervention, enabling the lifeboat to be deployed at a close enough, but safe, distance. The system automatically considers weather conditions and flight plan restrictions, allowing the lifeboat to be easily used in a wide range of situations.
Beyond detecting people in distress, this life-saving capability represents a key role in search and rescue missions with the aim of improving maritime safety and reducing the 2,500 marine casualties and incidents reported by EU member states each year (EMSA, October 2023).
CLS and TEKEVER have combined their skills and expertise to provide EMSA with maritime surveillance solutions using drones as a service since 2016. An affordable service useful for all Member States of the European Union, this solution has already proven its efficiency with nearly 2,000 hours of flights and nearly 300 missions carried out in Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.
With this consortium, CLS and TEKEVER combine 30 years’ experience in data acquisition, data processing and data analysis in maritime domain awareness with nearly 10 years’ experience in remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) solutions, making it a unique European civil expert.
Commenting on the news, TEKEVER’s CEO, Ricardo Mendes, said: “This successful demonstration by one of the leading maritime safety agencies is a fantastic endorsement of TEKEVER’s cutting-edge technology. We look forward to continuing this partnership with EMSA to improve the surveillance of European waters and ultimately save lives.”
TEKEVER’s AR5 is equipped with optical and infrared cameras, a maritime radar, an AIS receiver, and an emergency position-indicating radio beacon antenna, making it the optimal solution for Search & Rescue and Maritime Surveillance missions.
TEKEVER provides UAS technology and services to some of the most prestigious and demanding institutions in the world, including the United Kingdom’s Home Office, and the European Space and Maritime Safety Agencies.