Keys to access the Lifeguard House are located in the shed to the side of the house
SLSQ radio and Aeronautical radio also kept here
Upon access to the house, chargers with batteries, controller and phone as well as the Vehicle keys are located on glass cabinet adjacent to the TV.
Prior to leaving the Lifeguard House:
Inspect all equipment including UAV, controllers and signage
Conduct pre-flight checklist and JSA
Plan mission on laptop using phone hotspot for internet connection following DAF Drone Logbook guide
Set Up
Vehicle access to the beach can be tidal dependent
Log on to SURFCOM via radio
Set up exclusion area in preferred location to left of RB008
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 and inform the lifeguard/lifesavers and SURFCOM
The Lifeguards/Patrol Captain will go through the processes to evacuate the water etc.
follow until the battery needs to be changed. Complete the shark sightings log if you see a shark.
try and find the shark on the next battery if possible, and communicate with the relevant authorities.
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
Pack away exclusion area
Wash Hilux and sweep out. Ensure fuel is always at least half full. BP fuel card in vehicle centre console. Remain on phone and radio if going to refuel.
Fill out vehicle log book.
Return to Lifeguard House
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 RAINBOW19012023AS for a mission at Rainbow Beach 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
Sign off with SURCOM
Additional Notes
4G network can be bad in holiday times. May need to source wifi from Rainbow SLSC tower or township
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