Hawaii ocean safety officials look to robots to help save lives

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Ocean safety officials in Hawaii are hoping new technology can help keep residents and visitors safe in the water.

Read more UH women’s sailing team heads to nationals as head coach retires

Drowning remains the leading cause of death among Hawaii children and a leading cause of injury-related deaths among visitors, officials said.

The Hawaii Fire Department is currently testing three remote-controlled robots, called “Dolphin 3,” to help with rescues along hard-to-reach or inaccessible shorelines throughout Hawaii County.

The robots can be controlled from up to 800 meters away, and are equipped with anti-capsizing features and light modules for low-light rescues. They were donated by The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation.

“We’re in the final stages of applying what we learned into our operational procedures, and then from there, we hope to put them into action to save lives,” said HFD Ocean Safety Division battalion chief Bradley Young.

The robots were featured at the annual Hawaii Water Safety Coalition meeting Thursday to advance the which was released last year to address drowning through cross-agency collaboration.

Read more Maui storm survivor warns of scams after losing $600

Officials also discussed strategies to expand ocean safety education and youth swimming programs.

“We need everybody’s help in this,” said Kalani Vierra, Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau operation chief and Hawaiian Lifeguard Association president.

Vierra said solutions include more lifeguard towers, as well as “expanding our junior and keiki lifeguard programs, and starting to educate our keiki at a young age about the hidden dangers, how they can protect themselves.”

Thursday’s meeting was held ahead of International Water Safety Day, observed on May 15 to raise awareness about drowning prevention and water safety.

Read more Punahou girls water polo wins 17th State Championship