The drones are taking over the world! Watch out or someone will be spying on you, or you’ll crash into one, or they’ll crash into you. It’s the end of the world as we know it according to mass media when it comes to the subject of UAV’s, Drones and now USSV’s.

USSV’s? I hear you say… It stands for Unmanned Small Surface Vehicles, and this is what a stand up paddler came across while paddling around off Venice beach in California this week. Used for everything from surf lifesaving rescues, to hurricane tracking in the US and even delivering rescue tools to flood victims, these autonomous model boats were actually developed primarily in Australia for surf lifesaving applications. Check out EMILY, Emergency Integrated Lifesaving LanYard here.

This one, dressed up in full on camouflage gear seems a little strange though. Why would a lifesaving drone, that somebody is obviously supposed to find in a hurry, painted in jungle camouflage colours? Of course military applications spring to mind, but what could the US army possibly do with a 1.5m long model boat with a camera stuck to the bow do to harm anyone? Don’t answer that…

According to Osher Gunsberg who found the drone, it circled him as he paddled off the beach, and then later came hurtling back towards him before disappearing again. Thought to be one of the hurricane scouting drones in use by the US Naval Air Systems Command, the camouflage might have something to do with the fact that the units cost around $30,000 each. Wouldn’t want one of those to end up in someone elses boat if they found it would you?

Are lifesaving drones on their way to becoming the norm on our beaches? There’s already flying versions out there, what’s next? 

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