Prepares to introduce unmanned aerial vehicles to assist in search and rescue operations in coastal waters
KARACHI:
The unforgiving waters of the Arabian Sea, where fishing boats and merchant ships routinely face strong winds and towering waves, will receive a new guardian.
As accidents involving fishing boats and cargo ships continue to challenge maritime response teams amid strong winds and towering waves, Pakistan is preparing to introduce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to transform search and rescue operations in its coastal waters.
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (KSA) has decided to induct high-speed drones equipped with advanced cameras and sensors to monitor maritime emergencies, provide real-time situational awareness and assist rescue teams operating within a radius of 200 nautical miles, or approximately 360 kilometers.
MSA Deputy Director General Commodore Syed Nauman Ali said drones will play a central role during accidents at sea, guiding operational teams, identifying exact locations and streaming live video from incident sites. The system will also allow lifeguards to drop life jackets and float bags directly to people struggling in the water.
Until now, initial rescue efforts relied on low-capacity Defender aircraft, whose deployment depended on weather conditions, fuel availability and air traffic control clearance, often delaying operations at critical times. The new fleet of drones, expected to come online later this year, aims to remove those limitations and enable faster, more flexible responses.
According to Commodore Nauman Ali, preparations for the project are already complete and the unmanned systems will soon be integrated into the agency’s maritime fleet.
Once deployed, the drones will immediately arrive at accident zones, transmit audio and video updates to command centers, and continuously guide rapid response boats and helicopters equipped with winch systems for human extraction.
The drones will also remain in the air over rescue sites to provide sustained operational support, allowing teams on land and at sea to coordinate movements more precisely. Emergency kits, along with flotation devices, can be delivered directly to people in distress while larger rescue resources are mobilized.
A UAV, commonly known as a drone, operates without an onboard pilot and instead relies on remote control, computer systems or autopilot technology. These planes are guided through satellite links and GPS, and some are capable of identifying routes autonomously.
They are equipped with high-resolution thermal cameras, allowing the detection of heat signatures even at night, while radar sensors allow visibility through rain, darkness and high waves.
