Public safety agencies in New Jersey and Michigan are using drones to deliver flotation devices to swimmers in distress [1].
This technology allows rescuers to reach people in the water faster than traditional methods, which is critical when swimmers are trapped in powerful rip currents.
On July 17, 2026, the Ocean County Sheriff's Department utilized a drone at Division Avenue Beach in Surf City, New Jersey [2, 3]. The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. [3]. While one report indicated that authorities received a call regarding three distressed swimmers [2], another report said an officer used the drone to save two swimmers [3].
The drones are equipped to drop flotation devices directly to those struggling in the water. In other areas, such as Ocean City, New Jersey, and New Buffalo, Michigan, agencies have employed the EMILY remote-controlled rescue system [1, 4]. This system acts as a motorized buoy that can be steered toward a victim to provide immediate buoyancy before a human lifeguard can reach them.
Lifeguards and police officers operate these devices from the shore, providing a bridge between the initial sighting of a victim and the arrival of a physical rescue team. The deployment of these tools is part of a broader effort to improve emergency-response efficiency and reduce drowning fatalities [1, 4].
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles in beach safety has expanded across several U.S. regions since 2024 [4]. By bypassing the physical resistance of waves and currents, these devices provide immediate aid to swimmers who may be exhausted or panicking.
“This technology allows rescuers to reach people in the water faster than traditional methods.”
The integration of drone technology into coastal rescue operations shifts the first-response paradigm from human-only intervention to a hybrid model. By deploying buoyancy aids instantly, agencies can stabilize victims in the water, reducing the physical risk to lifeguards and increasing the survival window for swimmers caught in rip currents.
