Marlborough Weekly 12 January 2021

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Tuesday 12 January 2021

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GCH Aviation operations manager Colin Aitchison and Harbourmaster Luke Grogan with the high-tech drone making Marlborough waterways safer. Photo: Matt Brown.

Safety message takes to the skies Matt Brown Reporter

matt@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

Picton boaties have been getting messages from on high as part of a New Zealand-first pilot pro-

gramme to improve sea safety. A $40,000 commercial drone carrying a camera and speaker system buzzed boats entering and leaving Picton Harbour on Saturday. The successful Saturday morn-

ing showcase could see the drone deployed to other ports and bays throughout the Sounds. Harbourmaster Luke Grogan says using drone technology is a new way to highlight boating safety and capture attention.

“We’ve never used this technology before,” Luke says. “It’s an experiment. It’s a bit exciting.” Operated by the experienced GCH Aviation team and funded by Maritime New Zealand, the

7.2kg (including a high-definition video camera and speaker) commercial drone can travel up to 7.5km and reach speeds of 75 kilometres per hour.

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