31 rescued and over 1,000 drone rescue missions in La Oliva

Manuel Miranda announces that the service will be extended for a year, until July 2027, because of “the strong acceptance by civil‑protection operators in Fuerteventura.”

Pilot Project Overview

The drone‑based pilot program aimed at improving safety on the beaches of La Oliva, Fuerteventura, has already logged more than a thousand interventions. Launched by the Government of the Canary Islands in July 2025, the operating company presented this morning a report covering the first eight months: 1,071 flights amounting to 176 service hours.

Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water Minister Manuel Miranda announced that the department will extend the service for another year, until July 2027, “as its evaluation among civil‑protection operators on the island has been very high.”

Operational Results

During the presentation—attended by La Oliva Mayor Isaí Blanco and Island Council Minister Adargoma Hernández—the developers detailed the activity recorded between July 2025 and February 2026:

• 724 surveillance flights
• 91 missions supporting lifeguard operations
• Participation in 10 person‑search deployments
• 31 beach rescue actions

Service Details

The service is operated by Aeromedia UAV and consists of a drone deployed daily from 10:00 h to 20:00 h, seven days a week. Key features include:

• Two self‑inflating flotation devices
• An onboard public‑address system to broadcast messages to beachgoers
• Dual pilots ensuring uninterrupted operation
• A long‑range camera capable of identifying hazards and enhancing response capabilities

The drone fleet serves the entire island but is based at the La Oliva lifeguard station. A logistical hub is located in the Fuerteventura Technology Park, with priority coverage of the Corralejo beaches and the El Cotillo coastline within the same municipality.

Future Outlook

“The incorporation of new technologies is key to modernising the public emergency system in the Canary Islands, a process this Government has already started and will be reinforced in the coming months with new risk‑analysis units, the creation of the Canary Emergency Agency, and the forthcoming Civil‑Protection Law, which will specifically address coastal safety coordination.” – Manuel Miranda

Mayor Isaí Blanco expressed gratitude for the extension:

“After the success of this first period of assistance to the safety of our coastline, the proposal is renewed for another year, allowing the project to progress and strengthening maritime rescue services in our municipality.”

Island Council Minister Adargoma Hernández highlighted the strategic value of the pilot:

“Fuerteventura has many kilometres of beach and major tourist centres. This tool is a complementary asset to the usual municipal resources, increasing response capacity to incidents of this nature and enhancing beach safety.”