The Marine Disaster Rescue Team deployed a large-scale rescue drone for the first time to save a man struggling in the water at Panpo Port [1, 2].

This deployment marks a shift in maritime rescue strategy by removing the immediate need for human divers to enter dangerous waters to retrieve victims. By automating the extraction process, authorities aim to secure the critical "golden-time" window for medical intervention, while reducing the physical risks to rescue personnel [1, 2].

The operation took place in Hangeong-myeon, Jeju City, on Jeju Island [1, 2]. The drone is designed to directly pull a drowning person out of the water using a specialized cable and rescue system. According to technical specifications, the aircraft has a maximum lifting capacity of 60 kg [1].

During the incident, the drone was dispatched to the location of the struggling swimmer. It lowered rescue equipment to the individual, allowing the machine to lift the person from the sea and transport them to safety [1, 2].

An anchor for YTN said the technology is expected to be a great help in securing golden-time and ensuring the safety of rescue team members because it can support up to 60 kg and directly rescue people [1].

The Marine Disaster Rescue Team said that the ability to retrieve victims without putting divers at risk is a primary goal of the program [1, 2]. The use of such drones allows for a faster response in areas where currents or debris might make traditional swimming rescues hazardous [1, 2].

“The aircraft has a maximum lifting capacity of 60 kg”

The integration of heavy-lift drones into maritime rescue represents a transition toward 'remote-first' emergency response. By utilizing a 60 kg lift capacity, rescue teams can now treat the initial extraction phase as a mechanical task, delaying the deployment of human divers until the victim is stabilized or the environment is fully assessed, thereby lowering the casualty rate among first responders.