EU drones could drop life rafts to migrants in the Mediterranean Sea

The European Maritime Safety Agency has contracted drone company Tekever to use uncrewed aircraft for search-and-rescue missions

By David Hambling

Raft-dropping drones will soon be helping with rescues at sea. The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has awarded a €30 million contract for uncrewed aircraft to patrol European waters. The remotely piloted aircraft will deploy a new capability, an air-dropped rescue raft to carry up to eight people. It could be used to rescue migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea, however, critics believe that the drones may also be used to deter marine migration attempts.

EMSA announced the four-year contract on 14 October with the REACT consortium, …