Cronulla Beach is trialling an AI-powered surveillance system this summer that assists lifeguards in identifying swimmers who may be in distress, part of a broader push to improve beach safety across Sydney’s southern coastline.

The system, installed in November, uses cameras positioned along the beach to monitor swimming areas. Artificial intelligence analyses the footage in real-time, alerting lifeguards when it detects swimming patterns that may indicate someone is struggling.

“This doesn’t replace lifeguards,” emphasised Surf Life Saving NSW spokesperson Michael Torres. “It’s another set of eyes. On a crowded summer day with hundreds of swimmers, even experienced lifeguards can’t watch everyone at once.”

How It Works

The AI has been trained on thousands of hours of footage showing both normal swimming and distress situations. It recognises behavioural patterns that often precede drowning incidents:

• Erratic or uncoordinated movements
• Vertical body position with little forward progress
• Stationary floating that may indicate unconsciousness
• Swimmers drifting outside flagged areas

When the system detects concerning behaviour, it sends an alert to a tablet carried by patrol supervisors, highlighting the person’s location on screen. Lifeguards can then assess and respond appropriately.

Early Results

Since the system went live, it has generated 47 alerts. Of these, 12 led to lifeguard intervention where swimmers were indeed experiencing difficulty.

“That’s 12 situations where we got to someone faster than we might have otherwise,” said Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club captain Sarah Chen. “In water rescue, seconds matter.”

The remaining alerts were false positives, often triggered by children playing or swimmers with unusual styles. The system learns from each case, becoming more accurate over time.

Privacy Considerations

The trial has raised some privacy concerns among beachgoers. The system stores footage for 72 hours before automatic deletion, and images are only reviewed in connection with safety incidents.

“We’re not interested in watching people sunbathe,” Torres clarified. “The cameras are positioned to monitor the water, not the sand. And the AI isn’t identifying individuals; it’s looking for movement patterns.”

Sutherland Shire Council, which supported the trial, conducted community consultation before installation. The majority of respondents supported the technology given its safety focus.

Broader Beach Safety Context

As reported by ABC News, drowning deaths in Australia reached concerning levels last summer, with many incidents occurring at beaches. Technology is increasingly seen as part of the solution, complementing traditional lifeguard patrols and public education.

“We’re not going to technology our way out of all drownings,” Torres acknowledged. “People still need to swim between the flags, know their limits, and supervise children. But if AI can help us save even one life, it’s worth exploring.”

Future Plans

Depending on trial results, Surf Life Saving NSW may expand the technology to other beaches in the Sutherland Shire and broader Sydney region. The system is also being evaluated for its ability to detect rip currents and changing conditions.

Cronulla’s trial runs through the end of April, with a full evaluation expected by mid-2025.