Cuatro · Mediaset España · 7 agosto 2025
National TV report on the drone life vest deployment system operating on the beaches of Fuengirola.
Watch the report on Cuatro.com →ON USE
Life Vest
Deployment System
Aerial deployment of inflatable life vests from drone platforms over the beaches of Fuengirola and Mijas, cutting maritime rescue response time from minutes to seconds. Covered by Cuatro, Telecinco, COPE and Canal Sur.
As seen on TV
National broadcast feature.
PartnerAEROMEDIA
LocationsFuengirola & Mijas (Málaga)
Active since2023
Drones active4 units, full coastline
Response timeAirborne in 10 seconds
2025 interventions573 in July alone
TV coverageCuatro · Telecinco · Canal Sur
System render: AEROMEDIA AUXDRON LFG
PayloadInflatable vest
Inflation2 s on water
RangeUp to 800 m
Launch10 s airborne
Project overview
When seconds are the difference between life and death.
Developed in collaboration with AEROMEDIA, this system deploys an inflatable life vest from a drone directly to a swimmer in distress, before a human lifeguard could physically reach them.
Traditional rescue requires a lifeguard to swim out, which in rough surf can take 3 to 5 critical minutes. This system puts a flotation device in the hands of a drowning person in under 10 seconds of flight, at ranges up to 800 m offshore.
Active in Fuengirola and Mijas since 2023 in collaboration with AEROMEDIA. The fleet covers the full coastline with four drones in continuous service through summer.
In summer 2025 the system drew national television coverage with reports on Cuatro and Telecinco, plus radio coverage on COPE and a feature on Canal Sur, recognising the operational role of drone based rescue on the Costa del Sol.
By the numbers
Active deployment.
Real outcomes.
10s
Airborne from alert
2,600+
Missions in 2 months (2024)
573
Interventions in July 2025
800m
Operational range offshore
From the press
Drones de emergencias
Fuengirola & Mijas.
Canal Sur · 2025
Las playas de Fuengirola, las más seguras a vista de dron
Ver noticia →
Área Costa del Sol · 2025
Así funciona el servicio de drones que vigila el litoral de Fuengirola, clave en seis rescates
Leer artículo →
Ayuntamiento de Fuengirola · Jul 2025
El servicio de aerovigilancia con drones realizó seis misiones de rescate en julio
Informe oficial →
El Español · Nov 2025
Vigilancia con drones y mensajes en varios idiomas: el nuevo servicio de socorrismo en Mijas
Leer artículo →
Press coverage
Covered by national and
international media.
Cuatro TV
7 agosto 2025
National TV report on drone based life vest rescues operating on Costa del Sol beaches.
Reporter Patricia Palacios covered the system in operation, including footage of the drone deploying inflatable vests during a live intervention.
Read on Cuatro.com →
Telecinco
7 agosto 2025
"Evitar ahogamientos con drones es posible: así funciona el servicio en las playas de Fuengirola"
Telecinco reported on how the drone surveillance system works as a life saving complement to traditional lifeguard services, emphasizing the system's rapid deployment capability.
Read on Telecinco.es →
Canal Sur
8 agosto 2025
"Las playas de Fuengirola, las más seguras a vista de dron"
Reportaje de Noticias 2 sobre la flota de cuatro drones AEROMEDIA que vigila el litoral de Fuengirola. Imágenes en directo del dron sobre la playa lanzando salvavidas durante una intervención.
Ver en Canal Sur →
COPE Radio
19 agosto 2023
"Fuengirola instaura un servicio de aerovigilancia de sus playas con drones pionero en Andalucía"
COPE covered the expansion of the drone program as a first of its kind initiative in Andalucía, interviewing local authorities about the safety improvements achieved.
Read on COPE.es →
Área Costa del Sol
Verano 2025
"Así funciona el servicio de drones que vigila el litoral de Fuengirola: clave en seis rescates"
Detailed breakdown of how the system operates on Fuengirola's coastline, including response procedures, equipment specs, and statistics from the 2025 summer season.
Read article →
Ayuntamiento de Fuengirola
2024
"El servicio de aerovigilancia con drones realizó más de 2.600 misiones entre junio y julio"
Official municipal report: 2,600+ missions, 361 flight hours, and 4 rescues in a single two month period. 54 lifeguards supported by 4 aerial units covering all municipal beaches.
Official report →How it works
From alert to rescue
in under 30 seconds.
01 / DETECT
Swimmer spotted
Drone operators monitor the full coastline via HD camera feeds. A swimmer in distress is identified visually or flagged by lifeguards on the ground.
02 / LAUNCH
Airborne in 10 seconds
The drone activates and is airborne within 10 seconds. Four units cover all Fuengirola beaches simultaneously, 11:00 to 20:00 every summer day.
03 / INTERCEPT
On site at speed
Flying at speed towards the GPS confirmed position, the drone reaches a person 200 to 800 m offshore in seconds, before a lifeguard could physically arrive.
04 / DEPLOY
Vest released
A single command releases the self inflating life vest. It inflates in 2 seconds on water contact, keeping the swimmer afloat until the rescue team arrives by jet ski.
"Fuengirola fue de las primeras en incorporar los drones para la seguridad en las playas, y ocho años después sigue siendo un referente de innovación a nivel nacional." Ana María Mula, Alcaldesa de Fuengirola