Shark-spotting drones to patrol the skies above Australian beaches

Australian lifesavers work hard to protect beachgoers from hazards such as dangerous rips and sharks, but they are about to get some extra help from the sky.

On Sunday, Westpac, which sponsors the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Services, announced it would be supporting a trial of new drones to be used in search and rescue operations.

The long-range drone being trialled, nicknamed the Little Ripper, looks much like a mini-helicopter and is battery-powered. According to an emailed statement from Westpac, as well as determining the suitability of the drone for Australia's coastal conditions, the trial also aims to develop a system of aerial detection of sharks using its advanced vision capabilities. Read more...