Imagine a lifeguard that never tires, swims at three times the speed of an Olympic athlete, and can pull the weight of a small car. For the crowds at Gangasagar Mela—an annual pilgrimage where lakhs of devotees take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal on Makar Sankranti—this is not science fiction, but the new standard of safety.
Meet the Remote-Controlled Lifebuoy Water Drone: a high-speed, high-tech guardian designed to reach victims in seconds that has been officially deployed to protect pilgrims and visitors at this year’s Gangasagar Mela. This advanced aquatic robot is engineered to bridge the critical gap in response time during water emergencies.
“Operating with a 1 km range, the drone serves as a high-speed first responder. While even the strongest human swimmers face fatigue and resistance, this drone cuts through waves at a blazing speed of 7 metres per second,” Arvind Kumar Mina, District Magistrate, South 24 Parganas district, said.
“To ensure rescuers have total visibility, the drone transmits 1080p HD real-time video feedback directly to a screen-integrated remote controller, allowing for precise navigation even in crowded waters,” he added.
Constructed using high-density, impact-resistant LLDPE polymer, making it virtually indestructible against rocky shores or debris, the drone is capable of towing up to 1,000 kg—enough to pull multiple survivors or entire life rafts to safety simultaneously.
It also features a specialised auto-righting capability, which means that if a wave flips the craft, it rights itself in just two seconds. Safety is a priority as the enclosed propellers allow victims to grab onto the device without the risk of injury.
“It is also equipped with an intelligent GPS auto-return system, ensuring the device automatically returns to its launch point if the battery dips below 15 per cent or if the signal is ever lost. This deployment marks a significant leap in disaster management technology, ensuring that help is always just a few seconds away at Sagar Mela,” said an official.