Maritime & Coastguard Agency Is Soliciting Proposals For Demonstrations

The UK's Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) is soliciting proposals from drone operators for a demonstration program to aid SAR and ship surveillance missions of the southwest coast of England.

The BBC reports that the MCA has published a request for proposals for a contract valued at about $1.2 million. The deadline for applications is August 19.

The solicitation indicates that UAVs could help cut SAR and other costs while making them more efficient. But it also indicates that the U.K.'s rules concerning BVLOS operation would have to be eased or waived for the purpose of the demonstration.

To be considered, applicants will have to provide details about their ability to search for missing persons of vessels up to 6.2 miles offshore in low light, reduced visibility and high-wind conditions. The drones would transmit information gathered to manned aircraft of boats that would carry out the rescues.

The tender document also says the drones could also be used to track the amount of pollution being leaked into the water by ships and support law enforcement agencies that conduct aerial tracking missions over the English Channel.

The drone missions would initially be conducted with human operators, but the eventual goal of for autonomous operation, according to the report.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report
Tender Document