In a first for coastal safety and surveillance, Surf Life Saving NSW is trialling the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) camera technology at the Kiama Blowhole in a bid to reduce rock fishing drowning deaths.
The SAIL Project – (Surveillance AI for Lifesaving), is exploring how this innovative technology can extend lifesaving capability beyond the red and yellow patrol flags.
The trial is a significant advancement in coastal safety, harnessing AI and innovative camera-based platforms to identify incidents at unpatrolled and high-risk locations, enhancing the ability to prevent tragedies and save lives.
A 14-month trial is underway at two high-risk coastal sites: Kiama Blowhole and Little Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. These locations are ideal environments to evaluate the system’s effectiveness and were selected based on incident data and their complex hazard profiles.
“Kiama Blowhole has sadly been the site of so many rockfishing accidents and emergencies attended by our lifesavers and callout teams,” said SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce.
“By using AI to detect when someone gets washed off the rocks, and being able to keep them in sight once in the water, means we can respond so much sooner to perform a rescue.”
Cameras mounted on a post will capture continuous video feeds and when AI identifies an emergency event, the SLSNSW State Operations Centre (SOC) is alerted. An operator can then monitor the camera stream to validate the emergency and task the closest, most appropriate rescue resource to respond, be it lifesavers or lifeguards, jetskis, IRBs, drones or rescue helicopters.
Post-incident data will be used to refine the AI model, basically training the technology to detect people in trouble as it happens.
“Rock fishing safety is a big concern in Kiama LGA and we’re really pleased to be one of two locations in NSW to host this innovative trial with Surf Life Saving NSW,” said Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald.
“Kiama, particularly Blowhole Point, is the second-most deadly place for rock fishing in NSW. We’ve had 11 deaths in the past 15 years just from rock fishing. Anything that contributes to the potential safety of people in and around our beautiful coastline and waterways is welcome.”
“We want to thank Kiama Municipal Council for their commitment to protecting the public by getting this trial up and running at one of the state’s most deadly rockfishing blackspots,” said Steve Pearce.
“We also want to thank the NSW and Federal Governments for assisting with funding for the trial. Once successful, we’ll have an advanced technological solution that can be deployed anywhere in NSW, including at the most remote coastal locations and unpatrolled beaches.”
