Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality has introduced unmanned lifeguard vehicles on the coasts of Marmaraereğlisi, Süleymanpaşa, and Şarköy. These technologically advanced vehicles, controlled remotely, aim to quickly reach individuals in danger of drowning and provide first aid.

The system operates under the remote supervision of trained lifeguard operators working on the shore. These vehicles provide vital support by keeping the person in danger afloat until professional teams arrive at the scene.

Intervention time reduced from 120 seconds to 20 seconds.

Distinguished by their high speed and maneuverability, the unmanned lifeguard vehicles can operate in both calm and choppy sea conditions. This design particularly facilitates intervention for individuals who drift away from the shore or are difficult to reach due to waves.

According to municipal data, while it takes approximately 120 seconds for a standard lifeguard to reach an individual in danger, the new system reduces this time to 20 seconds. This improvement represents an approximately sixfold increase in the initial response time.

Drone-assisted surveillance and summer season planning

The security system implemented in Tekirdağ works in integration with a drone-assisted surveillance system in addition to unmanned vehicles. Drones enable aerial scanning of a wide area, allowing for earlier detection of dangerous situations.

During the detection phase, drones undertake the surveillance task, while unmanned lifeguard vehicles are directed directly to the incident point to carry out the intervention. This system, which yielded successful results in drills, will serve in the heavily used beaches of three districts throughout the summer season.

This technology, which is planned to be used primarily in blue flag beaches, aims to strengthen coastal security with digital analyses.

How effective do you think these types of unmanned intervention vehicles can be in reducing drowning incidents on beaches?