4 Photos
Southampton town Police Chief James Kiernan, at podium, with councilman Rick Martel, supervisor Jay Schneiderman and councilwoman Cyndi McNamara during the drone demonstration at Meschutt Beach on Monday morning. DANA SHAW
The drone that drops the life preserver to the swimmer in distress. DANA SHAW
During the demonstration, Southampton Town Police department’s Unmanned Aircraft Unit drops a life preserver to a swimmer in distress. DANA SHAW
Under the watchful eye of a drone, the swimmer is picked up by Marine Patrol. DANA SHAW
Town officials Monday offered a demonstration of the Southampton Town Police Department’s unmanned aircraft unit at Meschutt Beach County Park in Hampton Bays, showing how it can help rescue distressed swimmers.
The unit used two drones: a small one that looks like a traditional recreational model and a huge drone with a wingspan measuring some 4 feet.
Bay Constable Alfred Greenwald signed on to portray the victim, swimming out into the waters of Peconic Bay. The drones’ pilot, Sergeant William Kiernan, explained that the small drone would speak to the victim. The words, “Stay calm. Help is on the way,” spoken in both English and Spanish, could be heard on the beach from yards away when Greenwald was pretending to struggle in the water.
Next, the huge craft flew out over the water to the victim, where it dropped a flotation device to him. It self-deploys on impact.
The victim was soon picked up by a marine patrol vessel. The breeze was no deterrent for the devices. Sgt. Kiernan said even the smaller one could operate well in winds up to 40 mph.
The police department has had drone capability for several years. When a command post is set up near a water rescue site, personnel may see the victim in the water through the drone system. A huge monitor, like the one staff would see in a command post, was viewable at the demonstration.
The exercise was also an opportunity for officials to remind residents and visitors about the importance of water safety, as the busy season poises to commence this weekend.
Southampton is a great place to have fun, Town Police Chief James Kiernan offered, but, along with the fun, “Safety is everybody’s business.”
This is the first summer the recreational consumption of marijuana will be legal. Kiernan emphasized that it is not legal to smoke pot and drive.
“We want a safe summer,” Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman added, asking people to be mindful of the effects intoxicants can have on one’s abilities.
