29.10. DAF Local Operating Procedure – Burleigh Heads

Gold Coast Specific Communications

All communications with Gold Coast City Council Lifeguards are to go through SURFCOM. SURFCOM will contact Council Lifeguards in the event of shark sighting, rescue, first aid, etc.

Vehicle and Equipment Storage

• Each pilot will be assigned and individual entry code by Paige Booth pbooth@lifesaving.com.au 0437 352 123
• RPAS cupboard located at back of shed on the Eastern side
• Vehicles usually parked in the back carpark. Pilot to park personal car in place of DAF vehicle to save car space for return at end of shift.

Beach Entry and Exit

• Entry and exit to beach via Gold Coast Lifeguard Building carpark and then head north 50m along footpath
• 4WD to be parked on grass next to dune fence and footpath. 4WD NOT to go on Beach.

Set Up

• Collect equipment from Mermaid Storage shed
• Ensure all batteries, controller have charged overnight. If not, reposition on charge.
• Log on to SURFCOM via radio
• Plan mission on laptop using phone hotspot for internet connection following DAF Drone Logbook guide
• Inspect all equipment including UAV, controllers and signage
• Conduct pre-flight checklist and JSA
• Proceed to Burleigh Heads
• 4WD to be parked on grass next to dune fence and footpath. 4WD NOT to go on Beach.
• Set up exclusion area
• Set up additional equipment such as pop up tent, tables, chairs, landing pad
• Calibrate compass and Home Point prior to first flight
• Inform SURFCOM when commencing flights

Transect Flights

• Calibrate the compass/check the home point at your take off/landing position.
• Fly the drone out to the back of the break, maintaining Visual Line Of Sight (up to approximately 500m from where you are standing on the beach)
• Point the camera back in to shore at approximate 45 to 50 degree angle looking into the water
• Commence filming (4K video) and patrol back and forth on a transect line at the back of the surf zone no faster than 8.4m/s (30km/hour)
• When the battery goes down to 40%, finish the transect and stop filming, and then bring the drone back in to the landing pad to change batteries.
• Complete flight operations up to a final flight after midday (average 2 flights/hour from patrol set up if conditions are favourable, without interruptions for air traffic/weather).
• If you spot any marine creatures, pause the transect and drop down to 30m. Identify it (if possible). If it is considered a threatening species follow SLSQ procedures
  • Inform SURFCOM
  • The Lifeguards/Patrol Captain will go through the processes to evacuate the water etc.
  • Follow until the battery needs to be changed. Try and find the shark on the next battery if possible, and communicate with the relevant authorities.
  • Complete the shark sightings log if you see a shark.

Inclement Weather

• If it is raining or the wind is above 20knots, DO NOT FLY
• If the weather does not look like it will improve for the rest of your shift, you can fill out the Transect Patrol log with the Inclement Weather section at the bottom.
• A minimum shift is three hours (4 hours on a Sunday/Public Holiday) and you can sign off and go home.
• If you have completed some flights before the weather became Inclement, fill out the Inclement Weather section on your last Transect form (from the last flight you flew.)
• Then pack up and complete all duties and inform your Supervisor if you finish early

Pack Up

• Inform SURFCOM that flights have ceased for day and on standby
• Pack up UAV, controller and batteries, ensure there is no sand on the equipment when you put it in the case
• Pack away exclusion area
• Return to Mermaid storage shed
• Complete any remaining DAF forms including post-op checklist
• Upload all videos to Hard Drive from SD card. Create a folder on HDD using the formula Location Date Initials – EG BURLEIGH19012023AS for a mission at Burleigh Heads on Jan 19 2023 by pilot Andrew Smith. Format the SD card upon completion and reinsert in UAV
• Finalise mission by syncing flights to Drone Logbook and associate to the day’s mission
• Clean and store any remaining equipment, ensuring electrical components are on charge
• Wash and clean 4WD
• Sign off with SURCOM

Suggested Exclusion Area

Suggested exclusion area is 40m North of Platform. If tide permits, position forward of dunes to allow pedestrian access behind exclusion area.