14.4 Problem UAVs (Drones)
Purpose
To provide guidance for SLS personnel responding to non-SLS unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, that may create a safety risk or interfere with SLS operations.
Overview
Drones operated by members of the public, commercial operators, media organisations, contractors or other external parties may operate near beaches and SLS activities.
The presence of a non-SLS drone does not necessarily indicate that an offence or unsafe operation is occurring. Drone operators may hold approvals or authorisations from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that permit operations which would not ordinarily be permitted under standard drone operating rules.
SLS personnel are not responsible for enforcing aviation legislation or determining whether a drone operator holds the required licences, approvals or authorisations.
Where a drone creates a safety or operational concern, SLS personnel should prioritise the safety of members and the public and take reasonable steps to have the risk addressed.
Procedure
Initial Assessment
Where a non-SLS drone is identified operating near SLS activities, SLS personnel should consider:
- The location and apparent flight path of the drone,
- Its proximity to members of the public and SLS personnel,
- Whether lifesaving, rescue, search or other emergency operations are underway,
- Whether crewed aircraft or authorised SLS RPAS are operating or may be required,
- Whether the drone appears to be interfering with SLS operations,
- The location of the drone operator, where identifiable, and
- Any other immediate safety risks.
The presence of a drone alone does not require intervention.
CASA verified drone safety applications, such as ok2fly, may be used to identify relevant airspace information and areas where drone operations may be restricted.
These applications provide guidance only and must not be relied upon as confirmation that a particular drone operation is lawful or unlawful.
Some drone operators may hold CASA approvals or authorisations allowing them to operate in an area or manner that would otherwise be restricted.
SLS personnel should not attempt to determine or enforce an operator’s regulatory compliance beyond providing relevant safety information and reporting concerns where required.
Where the drone is creating a safety or operational concern and the operator can be identified and approached safely, SLS personnel may:
- Approach the operator in a calm and professional manner,
- Identify themselves and explain the SLS activity or safety concern,
- Advise the operator of any relevant lifesaving or emergency operations occurring in the area,
- Inform the operator of relevant CASA drone safety requirements where appropriate, and
- Request that the operator land, relocate or modify their operation where required to remove the identified risk.
The operator may advise that they hold a CASA approval or authorisation. SLS personnel should not enter into a dispute about the validity or conditions of an approval.
Where the operation continues to present a safety risk, the matter should be managed based on the risk being created regardless of whether the operator advises that they hold an approval.
Safety of SLS Personnel
SLS personnel must not place themselves at risk when attempting to identify or speak with a drone operator.
SLS personnel must not:
- Physically interfere with a drone,
- Attempt to capture, disable, damage or seize a drone or its equipment,
- Enter unsafe or restricted areas to locate a drone operator,
- Engage in confrontation with a drone operator, or
- Take enforcement action against the operator.
Where an operator becomes aggressive, refuses to cooperate or cannot be approached safely, SLS personnel should disengage and escalate the matter where required.
Emergency and Rescue Operations
A non-SLS drone operating near an emergency or rescue operation may create a significant risk to personnel, the public and responding aircraft.
Where a drone is identified during an emergency operation, SLS personnel should:
- Notify the State Operations Centre (SOC) as soon as practicable,
- Advise the SOC of the drone’s location, activity and any known operator location,
- Attempt to have the operator land or move the drone only where this can be done safely, and
- Follow any operational directions provided by the SOC.
Where crewed aircraft are operating or expected to operate, the presence of a drone must be communicated to the SOC as soon as practicable.
The SOC should ensure relevant responding resources or agencies are advised where the drone may affect aviation or rescue operations.
Where a drone operation presents an unacceptably high or immediate risk to members of the public, SLS personnel or emergency operations, the SOC must be notified.
The SOC may escalate the matter to South Australia Police (SAPOL) where an immediate operational or public safety response is required.
Examples may include a drone:
- Operating dangerously close to people,
- Flying over or through an active rescue or emergency operation,
- Creating a collision risk with a crewed aircraft or SLS RPAS,
- Repeatedly interfering with lifesaving operations, or
- Being operated in a manner that creates an immediate risk of injury.
Reporting Unsafe Drone Operations to CASA
Where the matter does not require an immediate SAPOL response but SLS personnel directly witness drone activity that they believe may breach CASA drone safety requirements, the witnessing member may submit a report directly to CASA using the Report Unsafe Drone Use service.
Where safe and appropriate, information that may assist a report includes:
- Date and time,
- Location,
- Description of the drone,
- Description and location of the operator,
- Observed flight activity,
- The nature of the safety concern,
- Any interaction with the operator, and
- Photographs or video where safely and lawfully obtained.
SLS personnel must not place themselves or others at risk for the purpose of obtaining evidence.
Operational Recording
Where a problem drone materially affects patrol or operational activities, details should be recorded within the relevant operational system.
Significant incidents and matters referred to SAPOL should be recorded in accordance with SOP 13.2 – Incident Reporting and Recording.
References