Surveillance AI for Lifesaving (SAIL) is an innovative technology designed to extend lifesaving capability beyond the red and yellow patrol flags.
SAIL represents a significant advancement in coastal safety, harnessing artificial intelligence and innovative camera-based platforms to identify incidents at unpatrolled and high-risk locations, enhancing our ability to prevent tragedies and save lives.
It is a scalable network that can be deployed anywhere in NSW, including the most remote and unpatrolled beaches.
A 14-month trial is currently underway, culminating in November 2026, with SAIL systems deployed at two high-risk coastal sites: Kiama Blowhole on the South Coast and Little Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Here, the AI is being trained to identify when rock fishers are washed off the rocks and into the water.
How Does It Work?
- Cameras at coastal hazard sites capture continuous video feeds.
- Feeds are analysed by AI and accessible to the SLSNSW State Operations Centre (SOC) operators to monitor and remotely control.
- When AI identifies an emergency event with high confidence, it alerts the SOC, where an operator can then validate the alert, assume control of the camera network, and task the most appropriate assets.
- Post-incident data is then used to refine both AI models and SOC workflows, ensuring continuous improvement.
Why These Locations?
Sites for the initial trial are based on:
- Historical drowning and near-miss data
- Hazardous coastal features (such as rock platforms and rips)
- Nearby readily available rescue resources
- Access to reliable connectivity and power supplies
Trial Objectives
The 14-month trial aims to:
- Validate AI detection across different seasons and conditions
- Demonstrate the seamless integration of AI alerts into SOC operations
- Improve response times to incidents
SLSNSW acknowledges funding from the Federal government, with assistance from the NSW government, for this project.
