High Point Volunteer Fire Company acquires Dolphin 3 rescue drone

The High Point Volunteer Fire Company in Harvey Cedars, New Jersey, has acquired a Dolphin 3 remote-controlled rescue craft to assist with water rescues. The approximately $10,000 investment comes as local lifeguard staffing on Long Beach Island decreases following the end of the peak summer season.

Manufactured by the Hong Kong-based company OceanAlpha, the Dolphin 3 is a self-propelled lifebuoy that can reach speeds of 15 mph with a remote control range of about half a mile. The device is designed to deliver flotation to distressed swimmers without requiring a rescuer to enter the water immediately. It can support up to 1,000 pounds, allowing it to assist multiple people at once.

Assistant Chief Nick Caricato noted that the device allows crews to pinpoint and deploy rescue equipment quickly. Fire company Chief Paul Rice emphasized the value of the purchase, stating that the investment is worthwhile if it saves even a single life.