1. BVLOS flight for maritime search and rescue
Learning from the RNLI and HM Coastguard technology demo challenge UKSAR3D
Hannah Nobbs
Innovation Scout, RNLI
RAeS Conference
BVLOS in the UK
19th September 2018

2. Contents Motivation and background context
Roadmap for the exploitation of the 3rd dimension for Search and Rescue
RNLI and HM Coastguard Technology Demonstrator Challenge
Focus on BVLOS
Lessons from the challenge
Next Steps
Our ask of you…
RNLI/Adrian Don
RNLI// Michael Howland

3. Motivation for exploring the 3rd Dimension
RNLI and MCA believe unmanned aerial systems offer potential benefits:
Enhance search capability
Reduce risk to our people

5. UKSAR3D Technology Demonstrator Challenge
Exploring the potential of drones for search and rescue
Q3 2018
Reporting of findings and recommendations
RNLI and MCA led collaborative activity with Industry and Regulators

6. Representative Design Reference Missions:
RNLI
HM Coastguard
Police
Lowland SAR
Communications Blackspot
Offshore Search
Shoreline Search
Mud Rescue

7. Industry Participation
Tethered Drone Systems
Sky Watch Search Systems
Team Indago ( Lockheed Martin UK & Scisys)
UAVE
From 26 Applications and 8 invitations to participate

8. Challenge Components

9. BVLOS for Offshore Search
Selection of location
NPAS

10. Deconfliction
Separation managed through Temporary Danger Area and safety plan
Other Airspace Users
Cardiff Airport Traffic
NPAS
HM Coastguard
General Aviation

12. What was the outcome?
Building blocks of a potential future search capability were demonstrated by a successful beyond visual line of sight flight in segregated but busy civil airspace
UAVE successfully launched their Mk3 Prion UAS, conducting a BVLOS flight and demonstration of emergency procedures including execution of a holding pattern on the outskirts of St Athan airfield.
The de-confliction procedure successfully implemented when NPAS received a call out.
Due to a combination of technical issues and inclement meteorological conditions, collaboration with a maritime SAR asset in a realistic SAR scenario was not achieved.

13. UKSAR 3D Key Lessons
Practical demonstrations of UAS in operational context revealed:
The technology is mature enough to support localised, tactical operations:
Alleviating communications blackspots
Enhancing situational awareness at incident commander level
Greater maturity is needed to develop operations beyond visual line of sight and realise benefit from this capability
SAR community can nudge this development.

14. UKSAR 3D Key Lessons
First time the RNLI and MCA has worked in this way with industry
Risk involved with this approach
Huge benefits - short timescale, cost effective learning
Appetite from industry to engage with the End User

15. UKSAR 3D Key Lessons
Safety aspects for the flying platform considered by Industry in great depth:
Situational awareness
Positional Awareness
Command and Control
…but to be operationally useful in the SAR environment we also need to know the area covered by the sensors

16. UKSAR 3D – Public Perception
Positive response to concept and approach
Tweet: 64 retweets and 138 likes
Facebook: 197k people reached, 935 likes and 313 shares
LinkedIn: 324 likes and 18 comments
Insta: 950 like and 25 comments

17. Next Steps
RNLI and MCA recommendations to UKSAR Strategic Committee to drive strategy on behalf of wider UKSAR community
Openly share findings, methodologies and lessons learnt with IMRF organisations.
Portfolio of projects to build on co-development towards vision of UAS as a regular, routine tool for SAR
BVLOS – the vision is to enable a ‘sandpit area’ for this developing capability
Machine learning training for SAR using datasets from SAR operator imagery
Design sprint for model of operations.

18. UKSAR3D Project Partners:
The support and expertise of the following organisations is gratefully acknowledged:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Industry Teams – Indago (Lockheed Martin UK and Scisys), TDS, UAVE, Sky Watch Search Systems, SkyBound Rescuer.
RNLI Operations
Barry Dock Lifeboat Station
HM Coastguard Rescue Teams (Area 13)
Cardiff Airport ATC
Welsh Government & St Athan
Atlantic College
Civil Aviation Authority
Essex Police

19. Our ask of you…
Positively challenge our approach and engage with our roadmap towards the routine use of autonomous systems to deliver lifesaving effect.
Take advantage of opportunities to understand more about the SAR environment
RNLI Open datasets